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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q

Portability
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q 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
  • New Model is Olympus E-PM2
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Announced June 2011
  • New Model is Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM1 was launched 6 months later than the Q which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the Q with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax Q

		

		

			
 E-PM1 Q 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-PM1

		

		

			
 Q E-PM1 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax Q

		

		

			
 E-PM1 Q 
AnnouncedNovember 2011June 2011Same generation
Manually focus  More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen  Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen  Lacking Touch friendly screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For those who are going to carry your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 has outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax Q in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the Q.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q size comparison
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and Q is 89 and 93 respectively.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
More often than not, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The visual here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and Q.
Clearly, both cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 has got the bigger sensor which will make achieving bokeh less difficult.
	
			Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
 Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
 Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
60
 manual focus
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 provides face detection focusing
 exports RAW files
 low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
45
 focusing manually
 flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
 supports RAW formats
 low resolution (12 megapixels)
 small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison
Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
Street photography with Pentax Q
75
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 exports RAW files
 screen does not articulate
69
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 supports RAW formats
 lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
 no moving screen
 small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography information
Pentax Q Sports photography information
49
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 provides tracking autofocus
 painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
 low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
 has no phase detect AF
31
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 provides tracking focus
 painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
 low resolution (12MP)
 small sensor (1/2.3")
 terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
 has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography info
Pentax Q Travel photography info
45
 missing Timelapse mode
 low resolution sensor (12MP)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
57
 lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
 has built in flash
 lack of Time Lapse recording
 terrible battery pack (230 CIPA)
 low resolution (12 megapixels)
 does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
 Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
 Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
65
 manual focus
 swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen size is decent (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
 exports RAW files
 low resolution sensor (12MP)
 missing Timelapse mode
51
 focusing manually
 interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
 pretty good screen size (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 supports RAW formats
 low resolution (12MP)
 small sensor (1/2.3")
 terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
 lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
Vlogging with Pentax Q
34
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 provides face detection focusing
 high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 missing external microphone support
34
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
 does not posses selfie friendly display
 lack of mic socket
Photography Glossary
	

		

			
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax Q
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax Q
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-11-23 2011-06-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW images    
Autofocusing
Manual focusing    
Touch to focus    
AF continuous    
Single AF    
Tracking AF    
AF selectice    
Center weighted AF    
Multi area AF    
Live view AF    
Face detect AF    
Contract detect AF    
Phase detect AF    
Total focus points 35 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Available lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash    
AEB    
WB bracketing    
Max flash synchronize 1/160s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lbs) 180 gr (0.40 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 47
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 11.1
DXO Low light rating 499 189
Other
Battery life 330 photos 230 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting    
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $499 $695