• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax Q-S1 advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 44 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    203g vs 469g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Pentax Q-S1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.4 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Body Only (Silver)
  • Body Only (Silver)
  • Body Only (Black)
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent handling in a compact, weather-sealed body; Crisp, roomy electronic viewfinder; Image quality that can take the fight to APS-C DSLRs; Unique high-res mode lets it bat far above its weight for static scenes; Extremely fast 10 fps burst shooting, Excellent video feature set

  • Control dials are easily bumped; Below-average battery life at default settings; Buffer depths for raw shooters are a bit limited; 16-megapixel sensor resolution feels dated; Weak bundled flash strobe

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax Q7

Pentax Q-S1
Pentax Q7
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax Q7

Olympus E-M5 II
Pentax Q7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Pentax Q-S1
Panasonic GX7
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Pentax Q-S1
Samsung NX Mini
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Samsung NX Mini

Olympus E-M5 II
Samsung NX Mini
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Samsung NX Mini

Compared to Nikon S2

Pentax Q-S1
Nikon S2
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Nikon S2

Olympus E-M5 II
Nikon S2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Nikon S2

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax Q-S1
Panasonic GX85
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Higher max flash sync
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX85

Compare Other Cameras?