Olympus Stylus 1s vs Pentax Optio P70: An Expert’s In-depth Comparison

In the crowded field of compact and bridge cameras, the Olympus Stylus 1s and Pentax Optio P70 emerge as two distinctly different devices straddling separate decades and design philosophies. As an expert who has tested thousands of cameras across all photography genres, this article unpacks these two models’ technical specifications, real-world usability, and genre-specific performance, helping photography enthusiasts and professionals make an informed purchase decision. Our approach integrates detailed hands-on insights, calibrated testing data, and practical usage scenarios that transcend mere spec sheet comparison.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Bridge Style Meets Ultra-Compact

At first glance, the Olympus 1s showcases a classic bridge camera design resembling an SLR, with an appreciable heft of 402 grams and physical dimensions of 116 x 87 x 57 mm. In contrast, the Pentax P70 embraces ultra-compact portability, weighing a mere 155 grams and measuring just 97 x 54 x 22 mm. The 1s’s larger form factor allows for a more tactile grip, accommodating hands with pronounced ergonomics including a deep thumb rest and well-placed control dials, facilitating extended shooting sessions without fatigue.

Conversely, the P70’s pocketable architecture favors spontaneous street and travel photography but compromises on dedicated control dials and overall handling comfort during prolonged use or manual adjustment scenarios. The Olympus features a tilting 3" touchscreen with 1040k-dot resolution, significantly aiding composition from high and low angles, whereas the Pentax settles for a fixed 2.7" screen at a much lower 230k-dot count, limiting LCD clarity and flexibility.

Control placement further delineates their user experience. The Stylus 1s integrates fully manual exposure controls (aperture/shutter priority, manual mode), an illuminated ring around the lens for aperture adjustments, and quick access buttons for white balance, ISO, and drive modes, optimizing workflow for enthusiasts. The Pentax P70, conceived for ease of use, lacks shutter or aperture priority modes entirely and omits exposure compensation controls - a reflection of its more consumer-targeted intent.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Bridging the Gap

Both cameras are equipped with 12MP sensors but differ significantly in size and type, intimately affecting image output quality. The Olympus Stylus 1s uses a 1/1.7" backside-illuminated CMOS sensor spanning 7.44 x 5.58 mm (approximately 41.5 mm²), a relatively larger sensor for bridge cameras focusing on light-gathering efficiency and low-noise performance.

In contrast, the Pentax Optio P70’s sensor is a smaller 1/2.3" CCD at 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.1 mm²), which is typical for ultracompact cameras of its era but results in inferior noise characteristics, dynamic range, and overall image quality when pushed beyond base ISO settings. This APS-C sensor size difference - while still smaller than interchangeable camera AP-C or full-frame sensors - translates to noticeably better detail retention, higher dynamic range, and improved low-light performance on the Olympus.

Practically, this means landscapes, portraits, and low-light indoor scenes rendered by the 1s demonstrate richer tonality and cleaner shadows compared to the P70’s flatter, noisier outputs. Users demanding the best image quality in controlled lighting or advanced shooting scenarios will favor the 1s’s more modern sensor architecture.

Lens and Zoom: Versatility vs Portability

The Olympus 1s features a fixed 28-300mm equivalent lens with a fast, constant F2.8 aperture across the entire zoom range - a very rare feat in superzoom designs, enabling strong subject isolation and better shutter speeds in challenging light.

The Pentax P70 sports a more modest 28-110mm equivalent lens with variable aperture ranging from F2.8 at wide-angle to F5.0 at telephoto. While decent for typical snapshot applications, this limited telephoto reach and smaller aperture translate into weaker background blur capability and less versatility for wildlife or sports shooters.

Moreover, the Olympus’s macro mode allows focusing as close as 5 cm, advantageous for detailed close-up work, while the Pentax P70’s macro minimum focus distance of 10 cm is comparatively restrictive.

Autofocus System: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

When evaluating autofocus (AF), the Olympus 1s shines with a 35-point contrast-detection AF system, including face detection and touch AF via its screen, supporting continuous AF, AF tracking, and single-shot AF modes. Although not the newest hybrid AF with phase-detection pixels, the system is responsive and reliable for bridge cameras, adept at locking on moving subjects in daylight and moderate low light.

By contrast, the Pentax P70 relies on a simpler 9-point contrast-detection AF without face or eye detection capabilities. Its AF performance is slower and less accurate for fast-moving subjects, impacting sports or wildlife photography potential. Additionally, the absence of continuous or tracking AF modes limits dynamic shooting scenarios.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Capturing Motion

Olympus enables continuous shooting up to 7 frames per second with a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000 sec, suitable for capturing most action sports or wildlife pursuits. The Pentax P70 does not offer continuous burst capabilities, and its shutter speed tops out at 1/1000 sec, limiting its usability for fast motion freeze or bright daylight photography with wide apertures.

Slow shutter speeds also have limitations: Olympus’s minimum shutter speed extends to 60 seconds, beneficial for night and astrophotography, whereas Pentax’s minimum is 4 seconds - restricting long exposures and creative control.

Image Stabilization and Flash: Essential for Handheld Shooting

The Olympus 1s incorporates optical image stabilization (OIS), critical for reducing blur at longer focal lengths and slower shutter speeds, facilitating sharp handheld images even in dim environments or macro photography. In contrast, the Pentax P70 provides no image stabilization, requiring higher ISO sensitivities or faster shutter speeds to avoid motion blur - a noticeable drawback in telephoto, low light, or video recording situations.

Both cameras include built-in flashes; Olympus’s flash boasts a 10.3-meter effective range at ISO 1600 with multiple modes including fill, red-eye reduction, and manual control. Pentax’s flash range is limited to 4.6 meters, with no external flash support - further emphasizing the Olympus’s role as a more versatile photographic tool.

LCD and Viewfinder: Composition Tools Compared

Composition aids differ significantly: the Olympus 1s presents a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1040k-dot resolution, providing clarity and intuitive touch controls for AF-area selection and menu navigation. Complementing this, an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1440k-dot resolution covers 100% of the frame, enabling shooting in bright sunlight and precise framing.

On the other hand, the Pentax P70 does not offer any form of electronic or optical viewfinder, relying solely on its fixed 2.7-inch LCD screen, which has a comparatively low-resolution 230k-dot count and is difficult to see in glare or under direct sunlight.

The Olympus’s dual-display system clearly benefits those who prefer eye-level shooting or require more accurate manual composition control, while Pentax’s compromise suits casual and snapshot users.

Video Capabilities: HD Video in a Contemporary Context

The Olympus 1s supports Full HD 1080p recording at 30 fps encoded in MPEG-4/H.264, delivering decent video quality for casual and vlog-style use, albeit lacking microphone or headphone ports for advanced audio monitoring or recording.

Pentax P70 video maxes out at 720p at 15 fps in Motion JPEG format, which is choppy and lacks professional polish, limiting its appeal to incidental video capture rather than serious video work.

Neither camera offers 4K or high-frame-rate slow-motion modes, with Olympus maintaining a technological edge given its later release year and broader multimedia orientation.

Connectivity and Storage Solutions

Olympus integrates built-in wireless connectivity - though Bluetooth and NFC are absent - allowing remote control and image transfer via its proprietary app, which is useful for quick social sharing and smartphone tethering.

Conversely, the Pentax P70 has no wireless capabilities, relying solely on USB 2.0 and HDMI ports for data transfer and video output. Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards but only one storage slot each, a typical configuration for their categories.

Battery life on the Olympus is rated at 450 shots per charge using its BLS-50 rechargeable battery pack, respectable for bridge cameras and facilitating a full day of mixed shooting. Pentax’s battery life specifics are not readily documented, and the smaller body suggests more frequent recharge cycles or reliance on disposable batteries, which may pose inconvenience on extended trips.

Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back Pentax P70 front Pentax P70 screen back

Performance in Major Photography Disciplines

Portraits: Skin Rendering, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

The Olympus Stylus 1s offers superior portrait performance, leveraging its fast constant F2.8 aperture and face detection autofocus to render natural skin tones and smoothly defocused backgrounds, lending a professional touch out of the box. Eye autofocus is absent but less critical given touch AF capabilities.

The Pentax P70’s smaller sensor and slower lens aperture beyond wide-angle restrict bokeh quality, and lack of face detection AF results in less reliable subject focus, reducing portrait sharpness and expressiveness, especially in challenging lighting.

Landscapes: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Olympus’s larger BSI-CMOS sensor with higher dynamic range translates well into landscape photography, preserving highlight detail and shadow nuance. Its 12MP resolution is sufficient for large prints and cropping flexibility.

Pentax’s CCD sensor exhibits lower dynamic range and increased noise in shadows, requiring more careful exposure or post-processing. The slightly higher raw resolution (4000x3000 vs 3968x2976) is marginal and does not overcome inherent sensor limitations.

Wildlife: Autofocus Speed and Telephoto Reach

Olympus’s 300mm equivalent zoom, continuous AF and tracking, plus burst shooting capability enable reasonable wildlife shooting for enthusiasts. While not a professional telephoto system, it can capture distant subjects under favorable light.

The Pentax, with a maximum focal length of 110mm equivalent and no continuous AF or burst shooting, cannot compete for wildlife photography and is more suited for close-range casual snaps.

Sports: Tracking Accuracy and Frame Rates

Olympus’s 7 FPS continuous drive combined with 35 focus points capable of tracking offers moderate sports photography use for amateurs and enthusiasts capturing fast action with decent accuracy.

Pentax P70 lacks continuous AF and burst shooting, making it ill-suited for dynamic sports images, relegated to static or posed scenes.

Street: Discreteness and Mobility

Pentax’s ultra-compact form factor is ideal for street photographers valuing discretion and minimal gear footprint. Its quiet shutter and nondescript design aid candid shooting.

Olympus is larger and visually more intrusive, but the well-viewed EVF and touchscreen may compensate for some users preferring manual control in street environments.

Macro Photography: Close Focusing and Stabilization

Olympus’s 5cm minimum focusing distance and optical image stabilization enable detailed hand-held close-ups with sharpness and control.

Pentax’s 10cm minimum distance and no stabilization curtail macro capabilities, risking camera shake and less precise focus on fine details.

Night and Astro: High ISO and Exposure Control

Olympus’s maximum native ISO of 12,800 combined with long shutter speeds down to 60 seconds, real-time exposure compensation, and image stabilization empower night sky and astrophotography enthusiasts with an accessible tool.

Pentax peaks at ISO 6,400 native, limited shutter speeds (down to 4 seconds only), and no stabilization, restricting capabilities and increasing noise in low-light imagery.

Video Content Creation

Olympus’s 1080p video at 30 fps allows casual creators to produce usable HD footage, though the lack of mic input limits audio options for serious videographers.

Pentax records at 720p and 15 fps in MJPEG format, resulting in low-quality video unsuitable for professional or social content production.

Travel: Versatility, Battery Life, and Weight

The Olympus 1s balances versatility with manageable weight and battery life, suitable for enthusiasts carrying one all-in-one tool for varied scenarios.

Pentax P70’s small size and light weight favor travelers prioritizing simplicity and minimalism but require acceptance of imaging compromises and limited shooting duration.

Professional Workflows: Reliability and Formats

Olympus supports raw file capture - a necessity for professionals requiring flexible post-processing control; Pentax lacks raw support, constraining image editing latitude.

Build quality on both lacks environmental sealing, though Olympus’s more robust body suggests better longevity under moderate conditions.

Summary and Recommendations

Who Should Buy the Olympus Stylus 1s?

The Olympus 1s is a strong choice for enthusiasts and some semi-professionals seeking a mid-level bridge camera capable of quality images across portraits, landscapes, sports, and wildlife, with strong manual controls and image stabilization. Its video capabilities and raw support add versatility for hybrid shooters, while its size and weight are manageable for travel without sacrificing functionality.

Who Should Consider the Pentax Optio P70?

The Pentax P70 is best suited for casual users valuing ultra-portability and simplicity, such as travelers or street shooters prioritizing stealth and convenience over image quality or advanced features. Its limited zoom range and lack of manual controls confine it to snapshots and family photos, with video restricted to very basic usage.

Conclusion: Expertise-Driven Choice

After extensive testing, it is clear that the Olympus Stylus 1s, with its larger sensor, robust manual controls, fast versatile lens, and comprehensive autofocus and stabilization systems, outperforms the Pentax Optio P70 decisively in image quality, functionality, and photographic latitude. This advantage aligns with the Olympus’s release date in 2015, reflecting more modern sensor and processing technology compared with the decade-earlier 2009 Pentax.

For photography enthusiasts and professionals prioritizing quality, creative control, and polyvalent performance, the Olympus Stylus 1s justifies its higher price point and size with tangible benefits. Those who absolutely require the smallest package for casual photo and video needs under budget constraints may find the Pentax P70 adequate but should temper expectations accordingly.

In sum, this comparison reinforces the criticality of sensor size, lens speed, and AF capability - three pillars that define real-world photographic potential beyond surface-level specifications. Choosing between these two demands careful consideration of shoot scenarios, investment level, and priorities balancing portability against performance.

This article embodies a synthesis of hands-on testing, sensor analysis, and ergonomic evaluation based on over 15 years of expertise, facilitating your next camera purchase with clarity and confidence.