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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Released December 2006
  • Updated by Pentax K100D S
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and K100D (6MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and K100D (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM1 was revealed 5 years later than the K100D and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the K100D in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K100D

 E-PM1 K100D 
ReleasedNovember 2011December 2006Fresher by 61 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kClearer display (+250k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Olympus E-PM1

 K100D E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K100D

 E-PM1 K100D 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 has got outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Pentax K100D has dimensions of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM1 vs the K100D.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and K100D is 89 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specifications. The visual below might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and K100D.

To sum up, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Olympus E-PM1 will offer extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The newer E-PM1 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography information
Pentax K100D Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
51
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
low MP (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography info
Pentax K100D Street photography info
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
58
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
heavier than competitors in class (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Sports photography camera
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K100D Travel photography highlights
45
no Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
42
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (660g)
low MP (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K100D Landscape photography factors
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
52
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview feature
low MP (6MP)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging information
Pentax K100D Vlogging information
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic support
9
no video shooting
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K100D
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax K100D
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax K100D
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-11-23 2006-12-03
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 lbs) 660 grams (1.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
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 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $499 $0