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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Below is a thorough review of the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is fairly close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and RS1500 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM1 was unveiled 9 months later than the RS1500 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-PM1 grades vs the RS1500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax RS1500

 E-PM1 RS1500 
ReleasedNovember 2011March 2011More recent by 9 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Olympus E-PM1

 RS1500 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax RS1500

 E-PM1 RS1500 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM1 comes with external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Pentax RS1500 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the E-PM1 and the RS1500.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and RS1500 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching specifications. The graphic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and RS1500.

To sum up, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax RS1500 will result in extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent E-PM1 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography advice
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
35
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography information
Pentax RS1500 Street photography information
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
54
environment sealing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Sports photography camera
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
lack of phase detect autofocus
37
resolution is good (14MP)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Travel photography camera
45
missing Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
67
environment sealing
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
Landscape photography with Pentax RS1500
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
40
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging details
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging details
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
25
quite wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax RS1500
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-11-23 2011-03-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 gr (0.58 lb) 157 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 260 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $499 $150