Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


59 Imaging
53 Features
52 Overall
52
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PM1 & Pentax K20D. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery & Pentax K20D Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K20D
E-PM1 | K20D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2011 | ![]() | June 2008 | More recent by 42 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K20D Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Pentax 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 |