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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S1

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and the Pentax K-S1 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2020 and August 2014. The E-M1 III is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the K-S1 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (E-M1 III) and an APS-C (K-S1) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Pentax provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Olympus E-M1 III
versus
Pentax K-S1
Olympus E-M1 III   Pentax K-S1
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Micro Four Thirds lenses Pentax K mount lenses
20.2 MP – Four Thirds sensor 20 MP – APS-C sensor
4K/30p Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 200-25,600 ISO 100-51,200
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots) Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1037k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Swivel touchscreen Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
18 shutter flaps per second 5.4 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
420 shots per battery charge410 shots per battery charge
134 x 91 x 69 mm, 580 g 121 x 93 x 70 mm, 558 g
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Check E-M1 III offers at
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Check K-S1 offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and the Pentax K-S1? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Olympus E-M1 III and the Pentax K-S1 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The K-S1 can be obtained in four different colors (black, grey, orange, white), while the E-M1 III is only available in black.

Size Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S1
Compare E-M1 III versus K-S1 top
Comparison E-M1 III or K-S1 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax K-S1 is notably smaller (8 percent) than the Olympus E-M1 III. Moreover, the K-S1 is slightly lighter (4 percent) than the E-M1 III. It is worth mentioning in this context that the E-M1 III is splash and dust resistant, while the K-S1 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the E-M1 III gets 420 shots out of its Olympus BLH-1 battery, while the K-S1 can take 410 images on a single charge of its Pentax D-LI109 power pack. The power pack in the E-M1 III can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-M1 III 134 mm 91 mm 69 mm 580 g 420 Y Feb 2020 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax K-S1 121 mm 93 mm 70 mm 558 g 410 n Aug 2014 749ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon Z6 II 134 mm 101 mm 70 mm 705 g 410 Y Oct 2020 1,999 amazon.com
4.
 
Nikon D5300 125 mm 98 mm 76 mm 480 g 600 n Oct 2013 799ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-M5 III 125 mm 85 mm 50 mm 414 g 310 Y Oct 2019 1,199ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-M1X 144 mm 147 mm 75 mm 997 g 870 Y Jan 2019 2,999ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-M1 II 134 mm 91 mm 67 mm 574 g 440 Y Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
8.
 
OM System OM-1 135 mm 92 mm 73 mm 599 g 520 Y Feb 2022 2,199ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic GH5 II 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 727 g 400 Y May 2021 1,699 amazon.com
10.
 
Panasonic G90 130 mm 94 mm 77 mm 536 g 290 Y Apr 2019 999ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic G9 137 mm 97 mm 92 mm 658 g 400 Y Nov 2017 1,699ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic GH5 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 725 g 410 Y Jan 2017 1,999ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax K-S2 123 mm 91 mm 73 mm 678 g 410 Y Feb 2015 749ebay.com
14.
 
Pentax K-500 130 mm 97 mm 71 mm 646 g 710 n Jun 2013 549ebay.com
15.
 
Pentax K-3 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 560 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7C 124 mm 71 mm 60 mm 509 g 740 Y Sep 2020 1,799 amazon.com
17.
 
Sony A68 143 mm 104 mm 81 mm 610 g 540 n Nov 2015 699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The K-S1 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 58 percent) than the E-M1 III, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Olympus E-M1 III features a Four Thirds sensor and the Pentax K-S1 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the K-S1 is 63 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.5. The sensor in the E-M1 III has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the K-S1 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-S1 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Olympus E-M1 III offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 20 MP of the Pentax K-S1. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.34μm versus 4.28μm for the K-S1). However, it should be noted that the E-M1 III is much more recent (by 5 years and 5 months) than the K-S1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The E-M1 III has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

Unlike the K-S1, the E-M1 III has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (80MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 64-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Pentax K-S1 are ISO 100 to ISO 51200 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

E-M1 III versus K-S1 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Olympus E-M1 III Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.313.1135676
2.
 
Pentax K-S1 APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.513.0106178
3.
 
Nikon Z6 II Full Frame 24.3 6048 40244K/60p25.014.4330394
4.
 
Nikon D5300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.9133883
5.
 
Olympus E-M5 III Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.313.1132476
6.
 
Olympus E-M1X Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.213.0125475
7.
 
Olympus E-M1 II Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.712.8131280
8.
 
OM System OM-1 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.413.4155377
9.
 
Panasonic GH5 II Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.713.1113679
10.
 
Panasonic G90 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.213.0127375
11.
 
Panasonic G9 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.112.8113874
12.
 
Panasonic GH5 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.913.080777
13.
 
Pentax K-S2 APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.612.9151479
14.
 
Pentax K-500 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.713.1108779
15.
 
Pentax K-3 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.713.4121680
16.
 
Sony A7C Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7340795
17.
 
Sony A68 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i24.113.570179
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the E-M1 III provides a higher video resolution than the K-S1. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the Pentax is limited to 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the E-M1 III has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the K-S1 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the E-M1 III has a higher magnification than the one of the K-S1 (0.74x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-S1 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Olympus E-M1 III2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
2.
 
Pentax K-S1optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/6000s 5.4/s Y Y
3.
 
Nikon Z6 II3690 Y3.2 / 2100 tilting Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n Y
4.
 
Nikon D5300optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Olympus E-M5 III2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
6.
 
Olympus E-M1X2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
7.
 
Olympus E-M1 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
8.
 
OM System OM-15760 n3.0 / 1640 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
9.
 
Panasonic GH5 II3680 n3.0 / 1840 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
10.
 
Panasonic G902360 n3.0 / 1240 swivel Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Panasonic G93680 Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
12.
 
Panasonic GH53680 n3.2 / 1620 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
13.
 
Pentax K-S2optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/6000s 5.4/s Y Y
14.
 
Pentax K-500optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Pentax K-3optical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony A7C2360 n3.0 / 922 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n Y
17.
 
Sony A681440 Y2.7 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The E-M1 III has a touchscreen, while the K-S1 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The E-M1 III has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the K-S1 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the E-M1 III is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Olympus E-M1 III has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the E-M1 III and the K-S1 write their files to SDXC cards. The E-M1 III features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the K-S1 only has one slot. The E-M1 III supports UHS-II cards (on its first slot), while the K-S1 can use UHS-I cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and Pentax K-S1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
2.
 
Pentax K-S1Ystereo / mono--micro2.0---
3.
 
Nikon Z6 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
4.
 
Nikon D5300Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
5.
 
Olympus E-M5 IIIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Olympus E-M1XYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y-Y
7.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
8.
 
OM System OM-1Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y-Y
9.
 
Panasonic GH5 IIYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
10.
 
Panasonic G90Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y-Y
11.
 
Panasonic G9Ystereo / monoYYfull3.0Y-Y
12.
 
Panasonic GH5Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
13.
 
Pentax K-S2Ymono / monoY-micro2.0YY-
14.
 
Pentax K-500Ymono / mono---2.0---
15.
 
Pentax K-3Ymono / monoYYmini3.0---
16.
 
Sony A7CYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
17.
 
Sony A68Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0---
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It is notable that the E-M1 III has a microphone port, which is missing on the K-S1. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Olympus E-M1 III (unlike the K-S1) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the E-M1 III and the K-S1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The K-S1 was replaced by the Pentax K-S2, while the E-M1 III was followed by the OM System OM-1. Further information on the features and operation of the E-M1 III and K-S1 can be found, respectively, in the Olympus E-M1 III Manual (free pdf) or the online Pentax K-S1 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Olympus E-M1 III and the Pentax K-S1? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Advantages of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III:

  • High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/30p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.74x vs 0.63x).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 921k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/6000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (18 vs 5.4 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 vs 2.0).
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
  • More modern: Reflects 5 years and 5 months of technical progress since the K-S1 launch.

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Reasons to prefer the Pentax K-S1:

  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (58 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2014).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the E-M1 III is the clear winner of the match-up (25 : 4 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

E-M1 III 25:04 K-S1

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Olympus E-M1 III and the Pentax K-S1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the E-M1 III or the K-S1 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-M1 III5/5..5/583/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2020 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax K-S14/5......4.5/54/5 Aug 2014 749ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon Z6 II4.5/5..4/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2020 1,999 amazon.com
4.
 
Nikon D53004/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 799ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-M5 III5/5+5/582/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2019 1,199ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-M1X4.5/5o5/585/1004.5/5.. Jan 2019 2,999ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-M1 II5/5+ +5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
8.
 
OM System OM-15/5....87/1005/54.5/5 Feb 2022 2,199ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic GH5 II4.5/5..4.5/585/1004.5/55/5 May 2021 1,699 amazon.com
10.
 
Panasonic G904.5/5+4.5/583/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2019 999ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic G9..+ +5/585/1005/55/5 Nov 2017 1,699ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic GH54.5/5+ +..85/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2017 1,999ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax K-S24.5/5......5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
14.
 
Pentax K-500........4.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 549ebay.com
15.
 
Pentax K-34/5....83/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7C3.5/5..3.5/586/1004/54/5 Sep 2020 1,799 amazon.com
17.
 
Sony A683/5......4/54/5 Nov 2015 699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S1

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Olympus E-M1 III Pentax K-S1
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses Pentax K mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2020 August 2014
    Launch Price USD 1,799 USD 749
    Sensor Specs Olympus E-M1 III Pentax K-S1
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 23.5 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 366.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 28.2 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 20.2 Megapixels 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3888 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.34 μm 4.28 μm
    Pixel Density 8.96 MP/cm2 5.45 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 64 - 25,600 ISO no Enhancement
    Image Processor TruePic IX PRIME MII
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 78
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 23.5
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 13.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 1061
    Screen Specs Olympus E-M1 III Pentax K-S1
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.74x 0.63x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1037k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Olympus E-M1 III Pentax K-S1
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/6000s
    Continuous Shooting 18 shutter flaps/s 5.4 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/32000sno E-Shutter
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    UHS card support Single UHS-II UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Olympus E-M1 III Pentax K-S1
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 3.1 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in no Bluetooth
    Body Specs Olympus E-M1 III Pentax K-S1
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Olympus BLH-1 Pentax D-LI109
    Battery Life (CIPA)420 shots per charge410 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69 mm
    (5.3 x 3.6 x 2.7 in)
    121 x 93 x 70 mm
    (4.8 x 3.7 x 2.8 in)
    Camera Weight 580 g (20.5 oz) 558 g (19.7 oz)
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    Check E-M1 III offers at
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    Check K-S1 offers at
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