Olympus E-M1 II vs. Pentax P70: A Deep Dive into Two Worlds of Photography

When it comes to choosing a camera, the gulf between models can often feel like crossing continents – different philosophies, vastly different capabilities, and wildly divergent user experiences. Today, I bring you a detailed comparison between two such points on the photographic map: the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, a professional-grade, Micro Four Thirds mirrorless powerhouse, and the Pentax Optio P70, an ultra-compact consumer camera from a different era and design intent.

While on paper this pairing might seem like chalk and cheese - and it indeed is - there’s meaningful insight to be mined by juxtaposing these two devices. As someone who’s tested thousands of cameras ranging from ultra-compacts to full-frame giants, I find value in contrasting such extremes to showcase how technology, performance, and user priorities manifest in photographic tools.

Getting Acquainted: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Before you even raise the camera to your eye, ergonomics and handling profoundly shape your shooting experience. The Olympus E-M1 II and the Pentax P70 cater to entirely different workflows and use cases, starting with their form factors.

The Olympus E-M1 II adopts an SLR-style mirrorless body weighing in at 574 grams with dimensions of 134 x 91 x 67 mm. This places it solidly in the realm of serious enthusiast and professional cameras. Its grip, button layout, and build quality make it feel substantial and reassuring in hand, factors I always test by prolonged sessions to evaluate comfort and fatigue.

In stark contrast, the Pentax P70, designed as an ultra-compact point-and-shoot, weighs a featherlight 155 grams and measures 97 x 54 x 22 mm. Its pocketable form is perfect for casual, emergent photography but naturally sacrifices the confident heft and intuitive controls of a larger camera.

Handling the E-M1 II, you’re aware that you’re wielding a tool designed for purposeful creation, with extensive physical controls supporting manual adjustments on the fly. The Pentax, however, requires you to lean into its menu-driven interface for most settings, reflecting its beginner-friendly and no-fuss strategy.

Design and Controls: Where Function Meets Intuition

A more detailed look at each camera’s top plate and controls reveals divergences born from their target audiences.

The Olympus impresses with abundant dedicated dials, buttons, and a top LCD, making exposure adjustments - shutter speed, aperture, ISO - immediate and tactile. This is crucial for professional workflows where seconds count, such as wedding or sports photography.

Conversely, the Pentax P70 opts for a minimalist approach: fixed lens, limited external controls, and absence of any viewfinder. Its 2.7-inch 230k-dot fixed LCD screen offers basic framing and playback but further nudges novice users toward automatic modes. There’s no joystick or multifunction dial here, just the essentials to keep things straightforward.

Both cameras have articulating screens - a 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen on the Olympus, and a fixed, non-touch LCD on the Pentax - which influences flexibility during shooting, especially in tricky angles.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s move to the core of any camera - its sensor and processing engine - where image quality is ultimately determined.

The Olympus E-M1 II houses a 20.4MP Four Thirds-sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.4 x 13 mm, paired with the company’s advanced TruePic VIII processor. This combination delivers clean, detailed images with excellent dynamic range (DxOmark scores rate it at 12.8 EV), and notable color depth (23.7 bits). Its native ISO range spans 200 to 25600, with usable high ISO performance up to around ISO 3200 to 6400 for many real-world applications.

Meanwhile, the Pentax P70 has a much smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor of just 6.17 x 4.55 mm with 12MP resolution and an effective ISO range up to 6400. Given the sensor’s diminutive size, noise and limited dynamic range impose constraints on image quality, particularly in low light. Its resolving power, though respectable for consumer compact cameras released in 2009, cannot hope to match the Olympus in any meaningful way.

In practical terms: portraits with the Olympus retain fine skin texture and natural tonal gradations, landscapes carry fine detail and highlight retention, and night shots preserve shadow information impressively well. The Pentax serves its purpose in bright daylight or casual snapshots but falters with noise, muddy colors, and constrained tonal transitions under challenging lighting.

Autofocus Systems: Precision Versus Simplicity

Focus precision and speed are where the Olympus E-M1 II, with its 121 contrast and phase-detect autofocus points, flexes its muscles. Testing it in various shooting scenarios - from studio portraits to fast-moving wildlife - reveals sharp, responsive focus acquisition and reliable eye detection. It boasts single, continuous, multi-area, and tracking AF modes, accommodating diverse genres.

The Pentax P70 offers a modest 9-point contrast-detection-only AF system with basic center-weighted focusing. There’s no continuous AF, no face or eye detection, and thus it falls short once subjects start moving or lighting conditions dim.

For wildlife or sports photographers, the difference is a chasm: the Olympus’ burst rate of up to 60 fps (electronic shutter) combined with robust AF tracking is a game-changer over the Pentax with its static, slower focus and no burst capability.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ready for Adventure

Few things carry greater confidence than a camera you can take into the elements without the paralyzing fear of failure. Olympus engineers the E-M1 II with pro-grade ruggedness and weather sealing - dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof down to -10°C. Its magnesium alloy body and reliable construction withstand the rigors of outdoor and adventure photography.

In contrast, the Pentax P70 lacks any environmental sealing or robust build, designed primarily for indoor or casual outdoor shooting in benign conditions. It’s lightweight and compact, but also inherently fragile under heavy use.

The LCD and Viewfinder Experience

The Olympus offers a high-resolution 3-inch fully articulated touchscreen (1037k dots), folding out to provide versatile framing angles - essential for macro or video work. The electronic viewfinder is equally impressive, sporting 2.36 million dots with 100% coverage, delivering a bright, lag-free window accurate in color and exposure preview.

The Pentax eschews a viewfinder entirely; composing must be done on its fixed LCD screen with low resolution (230k dots) and limited visibility in bright daylight. This limitation restricts creative flexibility and precision framing, especially for fast shooting or eye-level compositions.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

Olympus’ Micro Four Thirds mount boasts over 100 native lenses, spanning primes, zooms, macros, and specialty optics from ultra-wide to super-telephoto. This lens ecosystem also benefits from Panasonic’s MFT offerings, making it incredibly versatile for virtually any photographic discipline.

The Pentax P70’s fixed 28-110mm equivalent zoom lens (f/2.8-5.0) limits compositional creativity and optical performance. There’s no swapping lenses; you work within its constraints, well-suited for casual snapshots but not for demanding art or commercial photography.

The E-M1 II’s lenses are also optimized for their sensor size, with excellent image stabilization complementing the camera’s in-body 5-axis IS, crucial for handholding in low light or telephoto shooting.

Battery Life and Storage

In my tests, the Olympus E-M1 II’s BLH-1 battery yields about 350 shots per charge under typical usage - respectable for a pro mirrorless model, though not record-breaking. Dual SD card slots provide flexibility for overflow, backup, or format separation, an essential feature for professionals.

The Pentax P70 doesn’t list battery specifics; user experiences suggest modest life, given consumer-grade battery packs typical in ultra-compacts. Single SD card slot with internal memory is standard fare.

Connectivity and Modern Features

The Olympus includes built-in Wi-Fi for remote control and image transfer - a feature I find invaluable for in-field sharing or tethered shooting. USB 3.0 ports facilitate fast data offload. Microphone and headphone jacks enable robust audio controls for videographers.

The Pentax comes with only USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, and no wireless options, reflecting its 2009 design era. There’s no microphone input, limiting video production quality.

Video Capabilities: Meeting Modern Standards vs. Basic Recording

Olympus E-M1 II shoots 4K UHD at 24 or 30 fps with high bit rates (up to 237 Mbps), excellent codec options (MOV/H.264), and linear PCM for clean audio. The camera’s 5-axis image stabilization dramatically aids handheld shooting, and external mic and headphone jacks enable professional sound monitoring.

Pentax P70 records up to 720p at a mere 15 fps, with Motion JPEG format that produces bloated files and low-quality footage. Essentially, its video capabilities are rudimentary by today’s standards, serving only casual home movie needs.

Putting Both Cameras Through Their Paces Across Photography Genres

I’ve distanced from pure specs to discuss real-world use across photography disciplines:

• Portraits: The Olympus delivers smooth skin tone rendering, reliable eye detection, and pleasing bokeh with fast lenses. The Pentax is limited to fixed lens depth of field and no face detection.
• Landscape: Olympus’ dynamic range shines with rich detail in highlights/shadows; weather sealing allows shooting in challenging environments. Pentax’s small sensor and limited lens make fine detail and tonal gradation underwhelming.
• Wildlife: Olympus’ blazing burst rates (60 fps), advanced tracking AF, and telephoto lenses dominate. Pentax unable to track subjects effectively.
• Sports: Critical autofocus speed and frame rates only met by Olympus; Pentax unsuitable.
• Street: Pentax’s compactness benefits discreet shooting; Olympus bulkier but offers more control and image quality.
• Macro: Olympus’ focus bracketing and stacking options provide creative avenues; Pentax limited to 10cm macro focus but no stacking.
• Night/Astro: Olympus performs well with high ISO capabilities and long exposures; Pentax sensor noise and slow shutter speed caps limit possibilities.
• Video: Olympus provides professional 4K options with stabilization; Pentax offers basic low-res clips.
• Travel: Pentax excels in lightweight portability; Olympus is durable, versatile, but heavier.
• Professional Work: Olympus supports raw files, reliable workflows, and robust hardware; Pentax geared for casual shooters.

Olympus E M1 II front Olympus E M1 II screen back Pentax P70 front Pentax P70 screen back

Technical Performance Summaries and Ratings

The empirical performance rankings confirm what experience tells us.

The Olympus E-M1 II scores a commendable 80 in DxOMark-style testing, reflecting its strong sensor, autofocus precision, and versatile feature set. The Pentax P70 is untested by DxO but its specs and era place it well below modern standards.

For genre-specific performance, the Olympus leads strongly in wildlife, sports, landscapes, and professional contexts, while the Pentax holds slight relevance for casual street and travel snapshots where size dominates.

What Users Should Know: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Recommendations

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Strengths:

• Professional build quality and weather sealing
• Advanced autofocus with face and eye detection
• 20MP Four Thirds sensor with excellent dynamic range
• 5-axis in-body stabilization for stills and video
• Extensive lens ecosystem with excellent optics
• High-speed continuous shooting for action photography
• Fully articulating touchscreen and high-res EVF
• Pro video features including 4K recording and audio monitoring
• Dual card slots and robust connectivity (Wi-Fi, USB 3.0)

Olympus Weaknesses:

• Body size and weight heavier for travel or casual street shooters
• Battery life modest for prolonged shooting days
• Lens costs can be high for extensive systems

Pentax Optio P70 Strengths:

• Ultra-compact, pocketable for spontaneous shooting
• Basic, simple operation suitable for beginners
• Modest zoom range for everyday snapshots
• Low cost and consumer accessibility

Pentax Weaknesses:

• Small sensor with noisy, low-dynamic-range images
• Limited autofocus options and no continuous AF
• Poor low-light and video performance
• No viewfinder or articulating screen
• No weather sealing or ruggedness
• Lacks wireless connectivity and professional features

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

If you are a photography enthusiast or professional seeking versatility, durability, and cutting-edge technology for varied genres - particularly portraits, landscape, wildlife, sports, or video - the Olympus E-M1 Mark II is the obvious choice. Its comprehensive feature set supports creative control, reliability in challenging environments, and long-term investment in high-quality optics. While the price tag (~$1,700 body only) reflects this, it represents excellent value given its capabilities.

On the other hand, if you’re a casual shooter, new to photography, who needs a pocketable, easy-to-use camera for family outings and everyday moments without fuss or technical learning curves, the Pentax P70 (~$200) suffices. Its limitations in image quality and features are balanced by convenience and affordability.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Eras, Two Worlds

Comparing the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II with the Pentax Optio P70 is a fascinating exercise in contrast - reflecting the leaps digital camera technology has made over a few years and illustrating how form factor and purpose profoundly shape design decisions.

The E-M1 II is a worthy professional tool that rewards user experience and ambition with quality, control, and durability. The P70, while relic-like by today’s standards, still serves as a reminder that sometimes the simplest camera is just what a casual photographer needs.

Between these extremes lies a wide ecosystem of cameras for all kinds of creators. My advice: clarify your priorities - portability, performance, complexity, or price - then choose a camera that aligns. This deliberate approach ensures your camera isn’t merely a gadget collecting dust but an enabler of your photographic vision.

Happy shooting.

This in-depth comparison was crafted from extensive hands-on testing, technical analysis, and years of immersion in the photography world to empower you toward an informed camera purchase.