Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1
95 Imaging
36 Features
34 Overall
35


92 Imaging
37 Features
54 Overall
43
Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus VH-515 and Pentax Q-S1. The whole galleries are available at Olympus VH-515 Gallery and Pentax Q-S1 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2014 | ![]() | August 2012 | Newer by 23 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus |
Common features in the Olympus VH-515 and Pentax Q-S1
VH-515 | Q-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Same 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications
Olympus VH-515 | Pentax 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 |