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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 III
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-30
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 II was revealed 2 years later than the K-50 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-M1 II scores vs the K-50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Pentax K-50

 E-M1 II K-50 
LaunchedSeptember 2016November 2013More recent by 35 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 K-50 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax K-50

 E-M1 II K-50 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II features outer measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") having a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 II versus the K-50.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and K-50 is 68 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements merely by researching a spec sheet. The visual here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and K-50.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 II having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Olympus E-M1 II will result in greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 II provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
76
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Street photography camera
78
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
weather proof
lighter than competition in class (574 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,600)
screen does not articulate
more heavy than competition in class (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Sports photography highlights
75
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Travel photography highlights
72
lighter than competition in class (574 grams)
weather proof
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
56
weather sealing
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (650g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography info
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography info
76
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,600)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging features
Pentax K-50 Vlogging features
79
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes microphone jack
lighter than competition in class (574g)
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (650 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax K-50
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPentax K-50
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pentax K-50
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2016-09-19 2013-11-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 51600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 121 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 gr (1.27 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 13.0
DXO Low light rating 1312 1120
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 410 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 1
Launch pricing $1,700 $610