Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax Q-S1

In this article, we are matching up the Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the SH-50 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the SH-50 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The SH-50 was released 19 months before the Q-S1 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SH-50 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a short view of how the SH-50 matches up vs the Q-S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus SH-50 & Pentax Q-S1. The complete galleries are available at Olympus SH-50 Gallery & Pentax Q-S1 Gallery.

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SH-50 offers physical dimensions of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 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).

Check out the Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the SH-50 versus the Q-S1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SH-50 and Q-S1 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Quite often, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-50 and Q-S1.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SH-50 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Olympus SH-50 will provide more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The older SH-50 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.