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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 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
  • Released November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2014
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Below is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax Q-S1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM1 was introduced 3 years earlier than the Q-S1 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-PM1 scores vs the Q-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax Q-S1

 E-PM1 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 Q-S1 E-PM1 
LaunchedAugust 2014November 2011More recent by 32 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax Q-S1

 E-PM1 Q-S1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 provides outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax Q-S1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PM1 against the Q-S1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and Q-S1 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements just by going through specifications. The visual underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and Q-S1.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 has got the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF easier. The older E-PM1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
46
manual focus
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography features
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
Sports photography with Pentax Q-S1
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
lacks phase detect AF
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography advice
45
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than competition in class (203g)
has built in flash
low battery power (250 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
missing Time Lapse function
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging factors
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging factors
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have external mic jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax Q-S1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-11-23 2014-08-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
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) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265g (0.58 lb) 203g (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 250 images
Style 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $499 $250