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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Announced February 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-1
  • Successor is Olympus E-5
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-S1
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax K-S2, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-3 was revealed 8 years before the K-S2 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-3 scores vs the K-S2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax K-S2

 E-3 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Olympus E-3

 K-S2 E-3 
LaunchedFebruary 2015February 2008Fresher by 84 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-S2

 E-3 K-S2 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-3 features outside measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax K-S2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-3 against the K-S2.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and K-S2 is 56 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and K-S2.

Clearly, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-3 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-S2 will provide you with greater detail because of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The older E-3 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Portrait photography camera
56
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (10MP)
78
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-3
Street photography with Pentax K-S2
69
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
72
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than others (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Sports photography camera
57
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
low battery life (410 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-3
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
55
environment sealing
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
65
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
low battery life (410 shots)
more heavy than others (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography information
56
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
megapixel count low (10MP)
missing Time Lapse function
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
low battery life (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging factors
18
can't shoot video
71
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone socket
more heavy than others (678g)
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Pentax K-S2
 Olympus E-3Pentax K-S2
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-3 Pentax K-S2
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2008-02-20 2015-02-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890 grams (1.96 pounds) 678 grams (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 571 not tested
Other
Battery life - 410 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $670 $581