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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL8
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released August 2014
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

The following is a extensive comparison of the Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL9 was released 3 years after the Q-S1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL9 scores versus the Q-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Pentax Q-S1

 E-PL9 Q-S1 
ReleasedFebruary 2018August 2014Newer by 43 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-PL9

 Q-S1 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax Q-S1

 E-PL9 Q-S1 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL9 has got external dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the E-PL9 compared to the Q-S1.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and Q-S1 is 85 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL9 and Q-S1.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL9 featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-PL9 will produce greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The younger E-PL9 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
46
manual focus
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
84
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features touch to focus
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average (203 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography features
69
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography details
77
connects via bluetooth
features touch to focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not offer selfie friendly screen
60
lighter than average (203g)
built-in flash
low battery power (250 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL9
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging details
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging details
35
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone socket
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (203 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Pentax Q-S1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2018-02-08 2014-08-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Total lenses 107 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 8.6 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380 grams (0.84 lbs) 203 grams (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 250 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $599 $250