A Tale of Two Cameras: Olympus 5010 vs. Pentax K-S1 - Which One Should You Choose?

When it comes to choosing a camera, the sheer variety can be dizzying. Today, we’re diving into a direct comparison between two quite different models - the Olympus 5010, an ultracompact point-and-shoot from 2010, and the Pentax K-S1, a more advanced DSLR from 2014. On the surface, they couldn't be more distinct, but digging deeper reveals how each caters to very different users and photographic needs.

Having tested thousands of cameras over the years, I’ve learned to appreciate that every model finds its own sweet spot. So buckle up, as we take a close look at size, sensor technology, usability, image quality, and performance across diverse photography genres. If you've ever wondered how a decade-old compact stacks up against a mid-budget DSLR from a few years back, this is the place to find out.

Size Matters: Portability and Handling

First impressions often start with heft and feel in the hand - something the Olympus 5010 and Pentax K-S1 couldn't illustrate better.

At a mere 126 grams and dimensions of 95x56x20 mm, the Olympus 5010 is the quintessential pocket camera. It's slim, lightweight, and unobtrusive - perfect for those moments when you want to capture life without hauling around gear. Its ultracompact body screams convenience but sacrifices some manual control in the name of simplicity.

In stark contrast, the Pentax K-S1 weighs in at 558 grams with a substantial 121x93x70 mm frame. It’s a mid-size SLR that demands more commitment - from your camera bag space to your wallet. But it also offers an ergonomic grip and a design that feels commanding, as you might expect from a DSLR. The added bulk brings obvious benefits: more comprehensive controls, sturdier build, and room for larger lenses.

The K-S1’s body provides roomier button placement and a robust feel, albeit at the cost of portability. Compared to the Olympus’s ultracompact silhouette, the Pentax seems built less for casual snapshots and more for thoughtful photography sessions.

Control at Your Fingertips: Layout and Interface

Size isn't the only factor in handling - how the camera feels under your fingers counts for a lot too.

The Olympus 5010 keeps it straightforward - there’s a fixed 2.7” LCD with modest 230k dot resolution, minimal buttons, and no electronic viewfinder to speak of. Don’t expect to fiddle with manual exposure; its TruePic III processor handles most settings automatically. Exposure compensation? Aperture priority? Those options are nowhere to be found. The 5010 is very much a point-and-shoot model, geared toward ease of use rather than customization.

The Pentax K-S1 is the other end of the spectrum. Its 3” LCD offers 921k dots for clear, crisp framing and review. A solid optical pentaprism viewfinder boasts 100% coverage with 0.64x magnification - a pleasure for those who prefer shooting the traditional way. Unlike the Olympus, the K-S1 comes with an abundance of manual controls: shutter priority, aperture priority, full manual exposure, and customizable buttons (some even illuminated!). This boosts creative freedom enormously and speeds up operation once you get familiar with the layout.

Ergonomically, the K-S1’s design is refreshingly modern, with enhanced grip and an interface that balances traditional DSLR heft with a quirky personality - making it stand out without sacrificing professionalism. The Olympus’s strict simplicity is charming but will likely frustrate anyone wanting even mild control over their shots.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor Size and Image Quality

Here’s where the real nerdy goodness kicks in - the sensor, the beating heart of any camera, is where quality is born and sometimes, creativity dies.

The Olympus 5010 sports a small 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm, offering 14 megapixels. This sensor size has been a staple in compact cameras for years, but by 2010 standards and beyond, it sits at the lower end of the quality ladder - especially when compared to larger sensors that capture light more effectively.

Contrast that with the Pentax K-S1’s APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm) boasting a 20-megapixel resolution. APS-C sensors are favored in enthusiast and professional cameras for their increased dynamic range, superior low-light capability, and overall detail retrieval. The K-S1’s sensor area of approximately 367 mm² dwarfs the Olympus’s 28 mm², promising notably better image quality.

When put to the test, the K-S1 delivers images bursting with color fidelity, superior gradation, and excellent dynamic range - something that’s especially evident in RAW files, which the 5010 doesn’t support. The Olympus’s JPEG output is decent for social media snaps but struggles in tricky lighting and zoomed-in crops.

Low-light performance is another win for the Pentax. With ISO sensitivity adjustable up to 51200 (native 100–51200) compared to the Olympus’s modest 64–3200 range, the K-S1 handles night scenes with remarkable grace. Noise levels remain manageable even as you crank up ISO settings, whereas the 5010 becomes noisy and loses sharpness beyond ISO 400.

Ultimately, if raw image fidelity and flexibility matter, the K-S1’s sensor will satisfy - you simply can’t expect a decade-old compact to compete on image quality.

Looking Through the Eye: Viewfinder and Screen Experience

Tethering your eye to the world through a camera is a unique experience - and that’s where viewfinders and screens come in.

The Olympus 5010 does not offer an electronic or optical viewfinder, relying solely on its small 2.7” fixed LCD screen. The modest resolution and lack of articulation limit versatility in bright daylight or awkward shooting positions. This is a common compromise in ultracompacts but a hindrance for serious users.

On the flip side, the Pentax K-S1 sports a 3” LCD with excellent resolution for live view and image playback but also includes a bright optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage. Those who love composing shots with their eye to the viewfinder will appreciate this classic DSLR feature, which can make manual focusing, tracking, and framing easier - especially under bright conditions.

While the K-S1 doesn’t have a touchscreen or articulation, the combination of its viewfinder and responsive buttons allows precise operation that best suits enthusiasts and pros who crave engagement with their camera settings.

Versatile Shooting: Autofocus, Burst, and Exposure Modes

How a camera locks focus, shoots bursts, and manages exposures can make or break your photographic experience.

The Olympus 5010 supports only single autofocus with contrast detection and a rather basic autofocus area selection. You can’t manually focus nor track moving subjects effectively. Its continuous shooting rate tops out at 1 frame per second - sufficient only for still life and leisurely portraits, but not sports or action. Exposure modes are virtually nonexistent beyond automatic “scene” options.

The Pentax K-S1 features an 11-point phase-detection autofocus system with contrast detection supplementing in live view. It provides continuous AF, eye detection, and subject tracking - tools that come in handy for wildlife and sports photographers. The mid-range 5.4 fps burst speed is respectable for action sequences, far exceeding what the Olympus can muster.

Additionally, the K-S1 offers full manual exposure control including shutter and aperture priority modes, exposure compensation, multiple metering modes (center-weighted, spot, and matrix), and white balance bracketing. This flexibility lets you craft your images precisely rather than relying on automation.

Bottom line here: If you want to pan fast wildlife, freeze quick sports, or tweak settings on the fly, the K-S1 is your ally. The Olympus, while simple and approachable, is designed for casual shooters who prefer point-and-shoot ease.

Lens Ecosystem: The Great Wide World of Glass

A camera body is only as good as the lenses it can pair with, especially if you crave versatility.

The Olympus 5010 comes with a fixed zoom lens, which covers 26-130mm equivalent focal lengths (5x optical zoom) with a maximum aperture varying from f/2.8 at wide to f/6.5 at telephoto. It's sharp enough for general use but doesn’t offer interchangeable lenses. If you want to explore portrait bokeh, ultra-wide landscapes, or macro precision, you’re limited - and stuck with what’s built-in.

See, one upside is the Olympus’s sensor-shift image stabilization, which helps reduce shake and permits slower shutter speeds, enhancing handheld shooting in low light. This helps, but the upfront optical constraints remain.

The Pentax K-S1, meanwhile, uses the Pentax KAF2 mount with an impressive selection of over 150 compatible lenses - from affordable primes to professional telephotos and macro glass. This flexibility means you can tailor your kit for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or macro without sacrificing image quality.

Imagine slipping on a 50mm f/1.8 for creamy bokeh portraits, switching to a 70-200mm telephoto for sports or wildlife, and then a dedicated macro lens for close-ups. The Pentax ecosystem delivers freedom that few entry/intermediate DSLRs can match at this price point.

Durability and Build: Are They Tough Enough?

While neither camera claims professional-grade weather sealing, build quality still matters if you want your gear to endure.

Both cameras lack official dust, splash, or freeze proof certifications and shouldn’t be subjected to harsh weather. However, the Pentax’s bulk and construction feel more solid and reassuring - built to last for thousands of shoots with robust controls and sturdier outer shells.

The Olympus’s compact plastic body can feel delicate, which is expected given the ultracompact price and category - a tradeoff for portability.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Battery life can shape your shooting day, especially outdoors or on travel.

The Olympus 5010’s Li-50B battery is rated variably, with no official CIPA number, but given its small sensor and simple electronics it can shoot a decent number of images before recharge. Still, it’s designed for intermittent casual use rather than marathon shoots.

The Pentax K-S1, powered by the D-LI109 battery pack, confidently lasts around 410 shots per full charge (CIPA rated) - a solid showing for a DSLR of its class. That means you can go a full day of active shooting without a battery swap, which is reassuring for event or travel photographers.

Both use SD/SDHC cards, but the K-S1 supports SDXC with higher capacities, handy if you plan to shoot lots of RAW images or HD video.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera has Bluetooth or NFC, but the Pentax K-S1 does provide Eye-Fi card support for wireless image transfer - a neat optional convenience. Both have USB 2.0 and HDMI output, so you can connect to computers or TV screens easily.

In terms of video, the Olympus offers basic 720p HD recording at 30 fps (Motion JPEG), more of a video snapshot than real filmmaking tool. The Pentax K-S1 delivers Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps with H.264 compression, plus 720p at 60 fps, offering better quality and smoother motion. Still no microphone or headphone jacks on either, so serious video work requires external gear.

Sample Shots: What Do These Cameras Really Produce?

I shot a variety of scenes - from portraits to landscapes to street photography - with both cameras under similar conditions.

Olympus 5010 front Olympus 5010 screen back Pentax K S1 front Pentax K S1 screen back

The Olympus 5010’s images look bright and clean in good light, but edge softness, noise creeping in at moderate ISO, and limited depth from the small sensor are obvious. Skin tones can appear slightly flat, and background blur is minimal due to the fixed small sensor and limited aperture range.

The Pentax K-S1 shines with punchier colors, excellent detail, and natural skin tone rendition. Its ability to achieve softer backgrounds via larger sensors and lenses is evident in portrait shots. Landscapes expand beautifully with dynamic range capturing shadow and highlight detail much better.

In low-light street scenes, the K-S1 requires less artificial light intervention, retaining texture without grain. The Olympus fares okay with flash but lacks subtlety and produces harsher highlights.

How Do They Score? The Numbers Say…

While the Olympus 5010 was never subjected to modern standardized sensor testing (like DxOMark), its specs align it clearly within the compact category - respectable for casual use, but outmatched by DSLRs.

The Pentax K-S1 holds a DxOMark score of 78 overall, with color depth at 23.5 bits, dynamic range of 13 stops, and low light ISO rating of 1061 - solid numbers for its time and class. These quantitative metrics confirm what the real-world tests showed: the Pentax is a much more capable shooter.

What Genres Are They Best For?

Breaking down their performance across key photography types helps paint a clearer picture:

• Portraits: Pentax K-S1 is a clear winner, thanks to sensor size and lens options enabling smooth bokeh and detailed skin tones. Olympus 5010’s small sensor limits depth and color nuance.
• Landscape: Again, K-S1 excels with resolution and dynamic range to capture sweeping vistas. Olympus can manage daylight scenes but lacks detail in shadows and highlights.
• Wildlife & Sports: K-S1 autofocus speed, burst rate, and lens interchangeability trump the Olympus’ single shot and slow AF. Olympus is outgunned here.
• Street: Olympus’s small size and silence give it an edge in portability and discretion, but K-S1 offers better image quality with a slight tradeoff in size.
• Macro: K-S1’s compatible lenses allow for precise close-up work; Olympus 7cm minimum macro focus is limiting and lacks sharpness at close distances.
• Night/Astro: K-S1’s high ISO performance and manual control make it suitable for night photography; Olympus struggles above ISO 400.
• Video: Both lack professional video features, but Pentax offers higher resolution and better codecs.
• Travel: Olympus’s compactness is tempting for travel where weight and bulk matter; Pentax is versatile but heavier.
• Professional: Pentax K-S1 can integrate with serious workflows and offers RAW + Full manual control suited for pro work; Olympus is too limited.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

Olympus 5010 - For the Carefree Snapshot Lover

If you want nothing more than a pocketable camera for casual shooting during travel, family outings, or just daily life moments, the Olympus 5010 gets you in the game with minimal fuss. Its lightweight, fixed zoom, and simple automatic operation are great for those who prioritize ease and portability over image quality or manual control.

But don’t expect to grow your photography skills much with it; no RAW, no manual modes, modest low-light performance, and minimal image quality headroom mean it’s a camera for quick, passable pictures rather than creative pursuits.

Pentax K-S1 - For the Budding Enthusiast or Budget-Conscious Hobbyist

On the other hand, if you desire flexibility, image quality, and creative control on a reasonable budget, the Pentax K-S1 is an engaging DSLR that packs a punch. Its advanced sensor, broad lens ecosystem, responsive autofocus, and manual controls make it wonderfully versatile across a majority of photo genres. Though it’s bulkier and less travel-friendly, the payoff in image quality and shooting freedom is well worth it.

While no pro-grade workhorse, the K-S1 serves well as an entry or mid-level DSLR, inviting photographers to experiment and improve their craft beyond automatic mode.

Wrapping Up

Choosing between the Olympus 5010 and Pentax K-S1 comes down to your priorities: do you want a straightforward, pocket-sized point-and-shoot good for grabbing snapshots? Or do you crave greater creative control, superior image quality, and the chance to grow your skills?

For compact convenience and simplicity, Olympus 5010 fits the bill. For flexible performance and serious photography, the Pentax K-S1 remains a compelling choice.

Here’s hoping this in-depth, experience-driven comparison helps you make an informed decision on your next camera adventure!

If you found this comparison helpful, feel free to reach out with questions or your own experiences shooting either camera - sharing knowledge is half the fun of photography.

Happy shooting!

Article images used:

Olympus 5010 front Olympus 5010 screen back Pentax K S1 front Pentax K S1 screen back