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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax ist DL2 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
  • Announced September 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced January 2006
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M1 II versus Pentax ist DL2, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and ist DL2 (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 II was released 10 years later than the ist DL2 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-M1 II grades vs the ist DL2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Pentax ist DL2

 E-M1 II ist DL2 
IntroducedSeptember 2016January 2006Fresher by 130 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k210kCrisper screen (+827k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 ist DL2 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax ist DL2

 E-M1 II ist DL2 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II offers exterior dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") and a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DL2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1 II versus Pentax ist DL2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 II compared to the ist DL2.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and ist DL2 is 68 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking specs. The visual underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and ist DL2.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Olympus E-M1 II will give you more detail as a result of its extra 14MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The newer E-M1 II provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DL2
75
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
50
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
low MP (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography factors
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (574g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (565 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography factors
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max fps (60.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
low battery (350 shots)
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography factors
72
lighter than competition in class (574g)
environment proofing
has touch focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
selfie friendly display
low battery (350 per charge)
52
lighter than competition in class (565g)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography features
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography features
76
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
low battery (350 per charge)
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging highlights
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging highlights
79
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone port
lighter than competition in class (574 grams)
22
lighter than competition in class (565g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low ( resolution)
lack of microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax ist DL2
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPentax ist DL2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pentax ist DL2
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2016-09-19 2006-01-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 121 5
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options 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 reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
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 -
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 -
Video file format MOV, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574g (1.27 lb) 565g (1.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 65
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 11.1
DXO Low light score 1312 639
Other
Battery life 350 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLH-1 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/MMC card
Card slots Two 1
Launch price $1,700 -