Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


92 Imaging
38 Features
54 Overall
44
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 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
- Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
(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

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.

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.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Pentax Q-S1. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Pentax Q-S1 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2014 | ![]() | November 2011 | More 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Identical 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Pentax 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 |