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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released November 2011
  • New Model is Olympus E-PM2
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Announced May 2012
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and K-01 (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM1 was released 6 months prior to the K-01 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-PM1 grades versus the K-01 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K-01

 E-PM1 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Olympus E-PM1

 K-01 E-PM1 
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-01

 E-PM1 K-01 
AnnouncedNovember 2011May 2012Similar age
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 offers outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has proportions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") having a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the K-01.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and K-01 is 89 and 76 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to see the difference between sensor sizing just by going over specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and K-01.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-01 will deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography info
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography advice
Pentax K-01 Street photography advice
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
heavier than average in class (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography information
Pentax K-01 Sports photography information
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (540 shots)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
Travel photography with Pentax K-01
45
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
65
better than average battery (540 shots)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than average in class (561g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography details
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-01 Vlogging info
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
heavier than average in class (561g)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-01
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax K-01
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax K-01
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-11-23 2012-05-30
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 81
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265 grams (0.58 pounds) 561 grams (1.24 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 79
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 12.9
DXO Low light rating 499 1135
Other
Battery life 330 photos 540 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $499 $899