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Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus VH-515 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43

Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Olympus VH-515
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 60 x 21mm
  • Launched August 2012
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
  • Released August 2014
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Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

The following is a thorough overview of the Olympus VH-515 and Pentax Q-S1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the VH-515 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the VH-515 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") boast totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The VH-515 was announced 23 months earlier than the Q-S1 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VH-515 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a short highlight of how the VH-515 matches up versus the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VH-515 over the Pentax Q-S1

 VH-515 Q-S1 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus VH-515

 Q-S1 VH-515 
ReleasedAugust 2014August 2012Newer by 23 months
Focus manually More exact focus

Common features in the Olympus VH-515 and Pentax Q-S1

 VH-515 Q-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus VH-515 offers outer dimensions of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VH-515 and Pentax Q-S1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the VH-515 against the Q-S1.

Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the VH-515 and Q-S1 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions only by checking a spec sheet. The image underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VH-515 and Q-S1.

Clearly, each of these cameras come with the identical MP albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The VH-515 features the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF harder. The more aged VH-515 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VH-515
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
27
offers face detect focus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
46
you can focus manually
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Street photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography info
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides focus via touch
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Sports photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography information
32
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VH-515 Travel photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography features
62
provides focus via touch
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
lighter than competition in class (203g)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (250 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VH-515
Landscape photography with Pentax Q-S1
37
rather wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus VH-515
Vlogging with Pentax Q-S1
35
rather wide (26mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic jack
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Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VH-515 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus VH-515Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus VH-515 Pentax Q-S1
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-08-21 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ Q Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.70 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 152g (0.34 pounds) 203g (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 60 x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $648 $250