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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Updated by Olympus E-PM2
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Launched June 2008
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K10D
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the K20D (15MP) is relatively close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and K20D (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM1 was launched 3 years later than the K20D and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a short summation of how the E-PM1 matches up against the K20D in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K20D

 E-PM1 K20D 
LaunchedNovember 2011June 2008More recent by 42 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Olympus E-PM1

 K20D E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K20D

 E-PM1 K20D 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 comes with exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax K20D has proportions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PM1 versus the K20D.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and K20D is 89 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor measurements purely by viewing specifications. The graphic underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and K20D.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh tougher and the Pentax K20D will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The newer E-PM1 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
Portrait photography with Pentax K20D
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography highlights
Pentax K20D Street photography highlights
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Sports photography camera
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect auto focus
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
Travel photography with Pentax K20D
45
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
64
weather proofing
MP count good (15MP)
built-in flash
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography information
Pentax K20D Landscape photography information
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
70
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
small screen (2.7 inch)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K20D as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
9
no video shooting
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K20D
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax K20D
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2011-11-23 2008-06-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
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
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/180s
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265g (0.58 lb) 800g (1.76 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 score 52 65
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 11.1
DXO Low light score 499 639
Other
Battery life 330 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $499 $700