Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E70
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


94 Imaging
33 Features
11 Overall
24
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E70 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
- Released November 2011
- New Model is Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.4" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 175g - 94 x 61 x 26mm
- Announced January 2009

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E70 Overview
Here is a complete assessment of the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax E70, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the E70 (10MP) is pretty close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and E70 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

The E-PM1 was launched 2 years later than the E70 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax E70 being a Compact camera.
Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-PM1 matches up against the E70 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E70 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Pentax Optio E70. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Pentax E70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax E70
E-PM1 | E70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | November 2011 | ![]() | January 2009 | Fresher by 36 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.4" | Bigger screen (+0.6") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 112k | Crisper screen (+348k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax E70 over the Olympus E-PM1
E70 | E-PM1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax E70
E-PM1 | E70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E70 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 features exterior 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) whilst the Pentax E70 has dimensions of 94mm x 61mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.0") and a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax E70 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PM1 vs the E70.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and E70 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E70 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by looking through specs. The photograph here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and E70.
All in all, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-PM1 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs much more aggressively. The newer E-PM1 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax E70 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Pentax Optio E70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Pentax Optio E70 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2011-11-23 | 2009-01-05 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic VI | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 3648 x 2736 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 64 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
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 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 35-105mm (3.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 10cm |
Number of lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.4 inches |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 112k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.0fps | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 265 gr (0.58 lb) | 175 gr (0.39 lb) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 94 x 61 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLS-5 | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $499 | $140 |