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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Introduced February 2020
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
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
  • Released February 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-S1
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-M1 III (20MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is fairly close but the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 III was manufactured 5 years later than the K-S2 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-M1 III matches up versus the K-S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Pentax K-S2

 E-M1 III K-S2 
ReleasedFebruary 2020February 2015Fresher by 61 months
Display resolution1037k921kSharper display (+116k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 K-S2 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-S2

 E-M1 III K-S2 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 III offers outside measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 III vs the K-S2.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and K-S2 is 67 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing technical specs. The photograph here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and K-S2.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor sizing. The E-M1 III features the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF harder. The newer E-M1 III is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
77
you can focus manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW files
78
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography information
Pentax K-S2 Street photography information
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
comes with touch focus
environment proof
great high ISO (25,600)
72
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
heavier than others in class (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography info
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography info
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (5.4 fps)
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
79
environment proof
supports bluetooth
comes with touch focus
MP count good (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
65
environment proofing
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
heavier than others in class (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography details
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography details
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging details
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging details
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic support
71
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic support
heavier than others in class (678g)
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax K-S2
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Pentax K-S2
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2020-02-11 2015-02-10
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic IX PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 11
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 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, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lb) 678 grams (1.49 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 420 images 410 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual Single
Retail pricing $1,800 $581