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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K10D

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax K10D front
Portability
59
Imaging
49
Features
43
Overall
46

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K10D 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
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PM2
Pentax K10D
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 793g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released December 2006
  • Later Model is Pentax K20D
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K10D Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Olympus E-PM1 versus Pentax K10D, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the K10D (10MP) is fairly similar but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and K10D (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM1 was unveiled 5 years later than the K10D and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K10D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summation of how the E-PM1 matches up versus the K10D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K10D

 E-PM1 K10D 
ReleasedNovember 2011December 2006More recent by 61 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kSharper display (+250k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K10D over the Olympus E-PM1

 K10D E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K10D

 E-PM1 K10D 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K10D Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 has got exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax K10D has proportions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 793 grams (1.75 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PM1 versus Pentax K10D in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PM1 vs the K10D.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K10D size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and K10D is 89 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K10D top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K10D Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading a spec sheet. The photograph here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and K10D.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Olympus E-PM1 will deliver extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The newer E-PM1 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K10D sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K10D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K10D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
Portrait photography with Pentax K10D
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
53
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
Street photography with Pentax K10D
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K10D Sports photography highlights
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
lacks phase detect AF
53
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K10D Travel photography factors
45
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
49
environment proofing
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K10D as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
missing Timelapse mode
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
small screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
Vlogging with Pentax K10D
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone support
9
lack of video recording
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K10D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K10D
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax K10D
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax K10D
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2011-11-23 2006-12-15
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Auto Red Eye
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265 grams (0.58 lb) 793 grams (1.75 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 66
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 11.6
DXO Low light rating 499 522
Other
Battery life 330 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $499 $700