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Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Launched April 2010
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-P1
  • New Model is Olympus E-P3
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-P2 versus Pentax K-3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-P2 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The E-P2 was revealed 5 years prior to the K-3 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-P2 matches up against the K-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Pentax K-3

 E-P2 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-P2

 K-3 E-P2 
IntroducedApril 2014April 2010More modern by 48 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Pentax K-3

 E-P2 K-3 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P2 enjoys outside measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-P2 versus Pentax K-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-P2 against the K-3.

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-P2 and K-3 is 86 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes merely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P2 and K-3.

Clearly, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-P2 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-3 will render more detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged E-P2 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
79
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Street photography info
Pentax K-3 Street photography info
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Sports photography info
Pentax K-3 Sports photography info
40
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (560 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Travel photography info
Pentax K-3 Travel photography info
43
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
60
weather sealing
MP count good (24MP)
built-in flash
not so great battery power (560 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
60
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery power (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-3 Vlogging highlights
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Pentax K-3
 Olympus PEN E-P2Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-P2 Pentax K-3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-04-22 2014-04-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 grams (0.78 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 80
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 13.4
DXO Low light rating 505 1216
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 560 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Two
Price at launch $799 $639