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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-70

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax K-70 front
Portability
62
Imaging
67
Features
81
Overall
72

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-70 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
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Pentax K-70
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 688g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Launched June 2016
  • Successor is Pentax KF
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-70 Overview

Here is a extensive assessment of the Olympus E-PM1 versus Pentax K-70, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and K-70 (24MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and K-70 (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM1 was launched 5 years before the K-70 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-70 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-PM1 matches up against the K-70 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K-70

 E-PM1 K-70 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-70 over the Olympus E-PM1

 K-70 E-PM1 
LaunchedJune 2016November 2011Fresher by 55 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-70

 E-PM1 K-70 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-70 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM1 enjoys outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax K-70 has sizing of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") with a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM1 versus Pentax K-70 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the K-70.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-70 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and K-70 is 89 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-70 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing technical specs. The photograph below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and K-70.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-70 will provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The older E-PM1 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-70 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-70 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
80
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography details
Pentax K-70 Street photography details
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
71
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
very good high ISO (102,400)
heavier than average (688 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-70 Sports photography factors
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect auto focus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
Travel photography with Pentax K-70
45
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
64
environment sealing
good MP (24MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
heavier than average (688 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-70 Landscape photography factors
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (102,400)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-70 as a Vlogging camera
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of mic jack
71
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic port
heavier than average (688 grams)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-70
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax K-70
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax K-70
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-11-23 2016-06-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 35 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lb) 688 gr (1.52 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 410 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $499 $649