Olympus E-M5 II vs Pentax WG-2

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II vs. Pentax WG-2: A Detailed Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When diving into the world of cameras, selecting a model starts with assessing your specific photography needs: Are you chasing fast action, capturing delicate macro details, or out in the wild requiring rugged performance? Today, we’re putting the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and the Pentax Optio WG-2 under the microscope - two very different cameras that appeal to different types of photographers but occasionally cross paths in the hands of enthusiasts looking for quality in varying contexts.

Having tested both extensively in practical shooting environments and scrutinized their technical abilities, I’ll guide you through their core strengths and weaknesses across multiple photographic disciplines. We’ll take an expert look at sensor technology, autofocus capabilities, build quality, ergonomics, and real-world usability - all framed to help you decide which camera deserves a spot in your kit.

Meeting the Contenders: What Are We Comparing?

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II: Released in early 2015, this advanced mirrorless camera represents a serious step up for Micro Four Thirds shooters. Compact but feature-packed, it appeals to those who want excellent image quality, creative controls, and versatility without lugging around heavier gear. It carries Olympus’ signature in-body 5-axis image stabilization and a robust TruePic VII processor paired with a 16MP Four Thirds sensor.

Pentax Optio WG-2: Announced in 2012, this compact is a rugged waterproof camera designed for adventure and casual shooting in harsh conditions. Its fixed 28–140mm equivalent zoom lens and durable, sealed body make it ideal for users prioritizing resilience over absolute image quality or creative control.

By the end of this comparison, you’ll have a solid understanding of which device best aligns with your photography style, budget, and demands.

Physical Handling & Ergonomics: Size, Controls, and Interface

The first thing you'll notice is the stark difference in physical design. The Olympus E-M5 II sports an SLR-style mirrorless body that feels substantial yet manageable, weighing in at 469g with dimensions of 124x85x45mm. Its grip is deep and comfortable, designed to accommodate a variety of lenses, making it a joy to hold during extended sessions.

In contrast, the Pentax WG-2 is a small, compact waterproof unit weighing only 192g and measuring 122x61x30mm. It fits easily into a pocket or small bag - perfect for spontaneous shooting but less comfortable for long sessions or when trying to hold steady for critical framing.

Control-wise, Olympus offers a comprehensive suite of dials and buttons - shutter speed, exposure compensation, and programmable custom buttons make manual and semi-auto shooting straightforward. The top plate houses logical, accessible controls that even allow fast adjustments on the fly. The touchscreen and fully articulating LCD further enhance handling, particularly when shooting at odd angles.

The Pentax is simpler by design, with fewer physical controls aimed more at point-and-shoot ease, sacrificing manual control for durability and simplicity. The fixed rear LCD is not touch-sensitive but benefits from an anti-reflective coating suitable for bright outdoor shooting.

Takeaway: If you value strong ergonomics and an extensive control layout for creative shooting, the Olympus E-M5 II shines. For grab-and-go ruggedness, the Pentax WG-2 wins.

Sensor and Image Quality: How Do They Stack Up?

At the heart of image quality lies sensor technology. The Olympus E-M5 II features a Four Thirds 16MP MOS sensor sized 17.3x13mm, delivering 4608x3456 max resolution and benefiting from Olympus’ TruePic VII processor. This combination provides excellent low-light capacity (native ISO 200–25600), 12.4 stops of dynamic range per DxOMark tests, and color depth of 23 bits.

The Pentax WG-2, on the other hand, relies on a much smaller 1/2.3-inch 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor (6.17x4.55mm). While respectable for its class, it is constrained by physical size, resulting in increased noise, limited dynamic range, and less color fidelity, especially at ISO values beyond 800.

Real-world Results: I put both cameras through varied lighting conditions. The Olympus produces crisp, clean images with pleasing skin tones, natural colors, and excellent highlight recovery - ideal for portrait and landscape work. The Pentax performs adequately in bright light but struggles with noise and softness in shadows or low-light scenarios.

Autofocus: Precision, Speed, and Tracking

One of the strengths of the E-M5 II is its 81-point contrast-detection autofocus system complemented by face detection and continuous AF tracking. While it lacks phase detection AF, its responsive contrast detection combined with focusing algorithms yields reliable, accurate subject acquisition even in challenging lighting.

The Pentax WG-2’s autofocus system is much simpler with 9 points centered around a contrast detection setup, slower AF acquisition, and no continuous autofocus in burst mode. Face detection is supported but less effective during action or low light.

When shooting wildlife or sports, the Olympus gave significantly better tracking, locking quickly onto moving subjects and maintaining focus through my bursts at 10 fps. The Pentax is better suited to static or slowly moving subjects due to its single shot per second burst maximum.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ruggedness vs. Splash-Proof

Both cameras boast environmental sealing, but here they serve different purposes. The Olympus E-M5 II is weather-sealed against dust and splash, ideal for outdoor shoots in rainy or dusty conditions but not submersible.

The Pentax WG-2 is designed specifically for waterproof, shockproof, freeze-proof, and crushproof scenarios. Rated to 40 feet underwater, it’s suited for snorkeling, beach, or adventurous hiking, with dust and shock resistance to boot. The fixed screen may disappoint for some, but its tough Gorilla Glass is highly scratch-resistant.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots

The E-M5 II’s 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen LCD with 1037k-dot resolution offers flexibility for creative angles and clear, detailed previews. Coupled with a high-res 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder covering 100% frame and 0.74x magnification, this camera excels in usability under all lighting.

Pentax’s WG-2 features a 3-inch fixed LCD with a lower 460k-dot resolution and no electronic or optical viewfinder. While adequate, it limits shooting flexibility and struggles in direct sunlight. Its touchscreen absence reduces intuitive interface navigation, typical of rugged compact cameras.

Photography in Practice: How Does Each Perform Across Genres?

Olympus E M5 II front Olympus E M5 II screen back Pentax WG 2 front Pentax WG 2 screen back

Portrait Photography

Olympus pairs its accurate skin-tone rendering and nice bokeh with compatibility for hundreds of Micro Four Thirds prime lenses renowned for gorgeous subject isolation. Its face detection autofocus eases sharp focusing on eyes in portraits. The Pentax’s smaller sensor struggles to separate subject from background, and its kit zoom lens produces less creamy bokeh and softer detail.

Olympus advantage: Superior tonal rendition, bokeh quality, and focusing precision.

Landscape Photography

The Olympus E-M5 II’s sensor delivers excellent dynamic range and resolution to capture nuanced scenes, backed by weather sealing allowing worry-free shooting outdoors. Its in-body stabilization aids handheld landscape shots at slow ISOs. The Pentax WG-2’s smaller sensor reduces dynamic range and detail, but its waterproof nature adds versatility near water or rugged terrain. Fixed lens limits wide-angle framing compared to interchangeable options on Olympus.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Burst speed is a big factor here. Olympus offers 10 fps continuous shooting, face and animal tracking modes (though no dedicated animal eye AF), and fast focusing. Pentax sits at 1 fps burst, with slower AF incapable of handling fast subjects, limiting wildlife and sports portrayals.

Street Photography

Pentax WG-2’s compact size, ruggedness, and inconspicuous design make it a perfect street companion, silently snapping candid moments with minimal fuss. The Olympus, though lightweight vs. DSLRs, is bigger and noisier by comparison but rewards with superior image quality.

Macro Photography

Olympus supports focus bracketing and stacking and, combined with compatible macro lenses, delivers outstanding close-up details. The Pentax offers a 1cm macro focus range, making it versatile for casual macro shots but limited by lack of manual focusing tools and stabilization.

Night and Astrophotography

E-M5 II’s in-body stabilization, high ISO range, and custom exposure modes allow capturing star fields and night scenes better than the Pentax. The WG-2’s high ISO performance is weaker with visible noise from ISO 800 onward.

Video Capabilities

Both capture Full HD 1080p, but Olympus supports up to 60 fps, richer codec options (MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG), and microphone input for enhanced sound recording. Pentax is limited to 30 fps 1080p, with no external microphone option.

Lenses and System Compatibility: The Ecosystem Factor

One of Olympus’s key advantages is its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount boasting over 100 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party makers. You can choose primes, zooms, macros, and specialist lenses for creative freedom. The ability to swap lenses elevates the E-M5 II from camera to multi-purpose system.

Pentax WG-2 is a point-and-shoot with a fixed 28-140 mm equivalent zoom lens, restricting creative perspective and reach but simplifying operation for casual shooters.

Battery and Storage

Olympus’s BLN-1 battery offers around 310 shots per charge - average but manageable with spares. The Pentax WG-2’s battery lasts roughly 260 shots, which is reasonable for its category. Both use SD cards but Olympus supports higher capacities and SDXC.

Connectivity and Extras

The E-M5 II includes built-in Wi-Fi for easy image transfer and remote control apps. Pentax WG-2 supports Eye-Fi cards, which is an older wireless solution limiting convenience.

Price and Value: What Are You Paying For?

Olympus E-M5 II prices hover around $700 new, reflecting its advanced features, superior image quality, and flexibility.

Pentax WG-2 is about half that price at $350, delivering outstanding ruggedness and simplicity for the price but lagging in overall imaging capability.

Summary: Which Camera Should You Choose?

The Final Verdict: Insight From Experience

Drawing from my hands-on tests across multiple shooting environments, I find the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II to be a remarkably versatile mirrorless contender offering a level of image quality, autofocus performance, and creative control unmatched by the rugged Pentax WG-2. Its weather sealing and compact size make it a practical all-rounder from portraits and landscapes to challenging wildlife and video work.

The Pentax Optio WG-2 shines as a specialized companion camera for adventurers and casual shooters prioritizing durability, waterproofing, and utter simplicity over image quality or creative freedom. In environments where your gear faces moisture, shocks, or harsh conditions, the WG-2 is a rugged champion.

If budget allows and your photography spans genres demanding technical prowess and creative flexibility, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II is the better investment. However, if you want a tough, affordable camera to capture memories on rugged hikes, beach trips, or simple street photography with minimal fuss, the Pentax WG-2 will serve you well.

Why You Can Trust This Comparison

With over 15 years testing thousands of cameras - from compact point-and-shoots to full-frame mirrorless giants - this analysis draws upon rigorous daily shooting, technical measurements, and a broad understanding of photographic disciplines. Recommendations are unbiased, backed by real-world use, and focused on helping photographers match gear to their artistic and practical needs.

Whether you gravitate toward Olympus’s advanced mirrorless system or Pentax’s rugged toughness, knowing the unique capabilities and trade-offs of each equips you to buy confidently and shoot joyfully.

Happy shooting!