Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K-50: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting the right camera can be a thrilling yet challenging part of any photographer’s journey. Whether you’re stepping up from a smartphone, upgrading from an entry-level point-and-shoot, or considering a second body with specific strengths, understanding real-world performance is crucial. Today, we compare two standout entry-level cameras - the Olympus E-P2, a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds system announced in 2010, and the Pentax K-50, an APS-C DSLR introduced in 2013.

Both are designed for enthusiasts who want serious image quality and control, but they offer fundamentally different approaches: the compact rangefinder-style mirrorless versus the rugged traditional DSLR. We’ve personally tested thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, and today we'll dive deep into how these two models stack up across major photography disciplines, technical specs, and practical usability.

Feeling in Your Hands: Design and Ergonomics

The first noticeable difference is size and handling. The Olympus E-P2 is compact and lightweight - perfect if portability is a priority. Measuring 121 x 70 x 36 mm and weighing just 355 grams with battery, it feels more like a point-and-shoot with advanced controls. Its rangefinder-style design lacks a built-in viewfinder, offering only optional electronic viewfinder (sold separately). The 3” fixed LCD has modest 230k-dot resolution but benefits from HyperCrystal technology with an anti-reflective coating, improving outdoor visibility.

By contrast, the Pentax K-50 is a more traditional DSLR body with more substantial heft (650 grams) and a larger footprint (130 x 97 x 71 mm). It features an optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.61x magnification - the kind of “through the lens” viewing that many photographers trust, especially for precision framing. Its 3” LCD is sharper at 921k dots and includes brightness/color adjustment with anti-reflective coating.

Ergonomically, the K-50 offers a deeper grip with more pronounced buttons and dials, better suited to extended handheld shooting and serious handling in varied conditions. The E-P2 trades some grip comfort for pocketability but excels for casual portability and discreet shooting.

When examining top controls, the E-P2 has fewer physical buttons but intuitive dials for shutter speed and exposure compensation. It’s simple, inviting users to learn manual modes but relies on menu navigation for many tweaks. Meanwhile, the K-50 packs dedicated buttons for ISO, white balance, and shooting modes, plus a rubberized grip and weather sealing (more on that shortly). This tactile approach facilitates rapid adjustments during dynamic shooting scenarios.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

The core difference lies in the sensors:

While both cameras include an anti-aliasing filter, the Pentax’s larger APS-C sensor fundamentally offers superior light gathering, better dynamic range, and richer color depth. This translates into cleaner images with more detail in shadows and highlights, and improved performance at high ISO settings - a crucial factor for low-light or action shots.

The Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds sensor punches above its weight for a camera of its era, delivering respectable 12MP resolution and competitive dynamic range. However, the smaller sensor area meaningfully limits its noise performance and overall image fidelity compared to the K-50’s chip.

In practical terms, if pixel peeping and large-print quality are priorities, the Pentax K-50 wins hands down. That said, the E-P2 still produces excellent results, especially for web use or moderate-size prints, with a distinct rendering style favored by many enthusiasts.

Live View, LCDs, and Viewfinding Experience

Both cameras support live view, but the implementation varies:

• Olympus E-P2: Live view is implemented on a smaller, less detailed 3” LCD without touchscreen capabilities. Its HyperCrystal display provides decent visibility outdoors but feels somewhat outdated compared to modern displays.

• Pentax K-50: The 3” LCD is clearer and more color-accurate, facilitating better framing and menu navigation. However, no touchscreen means relying on physical buttons.

The real practical difference is in viewfinders:

• Olympus offers an optional electronic viewfinder with no viewfinder included by default, which can be cumbersome if you prefer eye-level shooting or faster composition.

• The Pentax K-50’s optical pentaprism provides bright, 100% coverage with no lag, ideal for action, tracking, and critical framing.

For photographers who prioritize traditional shooting and rapid manual focusing, the K-50’s optical viewfinder is a significant advantage.

Autofocus Systems and Focusing Performance

The autofocus (AF) systems reveal distinct philosophies:

The E-P2 relies exclusively on contrast detection autofocus. This works well in good light but is slower, especially for moving subjects. It lacks advanced tracking modes, which can frustrate wildlife or sports photographers.

The Pentax K-50 benefits from an 11-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors, phase-detection AF for improved speed, and built-in subject tracking. This means it focuses faster and maintains lock on moving subjects better.

If your interest lies in capturing fast sports, wildlife, or dynamic street scenes, the K-50 offers a clear edge in AF performance. The E-P2’s simpler contrast system suits static subjects, casual shooting, or controlled studio environments.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Capabilities

The Pentax K-50 provides double the burst speed (6 fps vs 3 fps), combined with a faster shutter top speed - beneficial in sports, action wildlife, and decisive moments.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Olympus E P2 front Olympus E P2 screen back Pentax K 50 front Pentax K 50 screen back

An often overlooked but essential difference is weather sealing. The Pentax K-50 is sealed against dust and moisture, extending its usability in challenging environments like hiking, wildlife safaris, or urban rainshoots. Olympus’s E-P2 lacks any such protection, demanding more care in harsh conditions.

Portrait Photography: Bokeh, Skin Tones, and Eye Detection

For portrait enthusiasts, sensor size, lenses, and AF matter:

• Pentax K-50’s APS-C sensor provides shallower depth of field potential, helping isolate subjects with pleasing background blur.
• The Olympus E-P2’s smaller sensor produces more depth of field at the same aperture, making achieving blurred backgrounds trickier without fast prime lenses.

Both cameras support face detection autofocus, but neither offers advanced eye-detection AF, which is now common on newer cameras.

For skin tones, the Pentax camera’s deeper color depth and dynamic range generally deliver smoother, more natural skin rendering. Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds sensor performs adequately but tends to require more post-processing finesse.

Recommendation: For portrait-focused photography where background separation and skin rendering are vital, the Pentax K-50 is a stronger choice.

Landscape Photography: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Weatherproofing

Landscape photographers demand sharp detail, strong dynamic range, and durability.

• The Pentax K-50’s 16MP APS-C sensor records larger images with more dynamic range (13 EV vs 10.4 EV), capturing subtle shadow detail and highlight nuance.
• Its weather sealing allows shooting in damp, dusty, or windy environments without worry.
• The Olympus E-P2, with 12MP and less dynamic range, is well-suited for casual landscapes but may struggle with scenes containing extreme contrast, like sunlit skies and dark foregrounds.

Lens ecosystems are also worth noting:

• Both systems have extensive lens lineups, but Micro Four Thirds lenses tend to be smaller and lighter, beneficial when trekking.
• Pentax offers many high-quality primes and zooms with rugged build for outdoor use.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: AF Speed, Burst, and Telephoto Support

The Pentax K-50 outperforms the Olympus E-P2 in several key wildlife/sports areas:

• Faster burst speed at 6 fps captures action bursts better.
• Phase-detection AF with tracking keeps moving animals or players in sharp focus.
• APS-C sensor size and 1.5x crop factor help telephoto reach compared to the 2.1x factor on the Micro Four Thirds system - but Olympus’s compact lenses balance portability with reach.

While the Olympus E-P2 is compact and easy to carry on hikes or casual outings, its slower AF and shooting rate limit use for fast-moving subjects.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion, Size, and Battery Life

For street and travel photographers valuing discretion, the Olympus E-P2’s small size, quiet shutter, and low profile are clear advantages. It fits in casual gear without screaming “camera,” which is valuable for candid street work.

The Pentax’s weather sealing and longer battery life shine on extended trips or diverse climates, but its larger size makes it more conspicuous and heavier to carry daily.

Macro, Night, and Astro Photography

• Both cameras rely on external macro lenses, but the Olympus Micro Four Thirds system offers great compact macro primes.
• The Pentax sensor’s higher native ISO capability (up to 51,600) provides an edge for night and astrophotography.
• Better dynamic range and noise performance on the K-50 mean cleaner long exposures and star fields.
• Neither offers built-in focus stacking or specialized astro modes, but both support manual controls necessary for this genre.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Formats

The Pentax K-50 supports full HD 1080p recording with modern codecs like H.264, offering better video quality and frame rate options. Olympus’s E-P2 tops out at 720p with simpler Motion JPEG format, which leads to larger file sizes and less flexibility.

Neither camera sports mic inputs or advanced video features like 4K or log profiles, so both are modest in video suitability. For casual video, the Pentax’s resolution advantage makes it preferable.

Professional Features and Workflow Integration

• Both cameras shoot RAW, enabling full control in post.
• The Pentax K-50 supports higher resolution RAW (16MP), better for large prints and professional editing.
• The Olympus captures 12MP RAW files but with smaller sensor data.
• Neither offers tethered shooting USB 3.0 or advanced wireless features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• Both lack built-in GPS but Pentax offers optional GPS accessories.

Professional users will find the Pentax K-50’s ruggedness, dynamic range, and lens selection better suited for more demanding work where durability and image quality are priorities.

How These Cameras Score in Real-World Tests

According to DxOMark and hands-on testing:

• Pentax K-50 holds an overall DxOMark score of 79, reflecting strong image quality, color accuracy, and noise handling.
• Olympus E-P2 scores 56, respectable for its time and segment but trailing due to smaller sensor and older tech.

Summary of Strengths by Genre

Which Camera Should You Choose? Practical Recommendations

• Choose the Olympus E-P2 if:

  • You prioritize compact size and discretion for street, casual travel, or everyday shooting.
  • You want a mirrorless system with a large selection of compact Micro Four Thirds lenses.
  • You mostly shoot static subjects or portraits in controlled lighting.
  • Video is limited to casual or short clips, and you value portability over speed.
  • Your budget fits into the used or entry-level mirrorless market.

• Choose the Pentax K-50 if:

  • You need rugged, weather-sealed durability for outdoor or adventure shooting.
  • You want better image quality, particularly for landscapes, portraits, and action.
  • You benefit from faster AF and higher burst rates for wildlife, sports, or street photography.
  • You want full HD video recording at 1080p and better codec efficiency.
  • You prefer an optical viewfinder with 100% coverage.
  • You want a more versatile camera for a wide range of photographic disciplines, from macro to night shooting.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Your Photography Journey

Both the Olympus E-P2 and Pentax K-50 remain solid choices as entry-level cameras with distinct personalities. The E-P2 represents a step towards mirrorless lightweight convenience and simplicity, ideal as a backup or travel-friendly camera. The K-50 caters to photographers seeking ruggedness, advanced autofocus, and a traditional DSLR experience with better image quality.

Ultimately, your choice hinges on which factors you prioritize: portability vs. durability, speed vs. subtlety, or sensor size vs. compact system lenses.

We highly recommend trying these cameras hands-on if possible and pairing them with lenses that fit your photography style to get the best feel. Both will support your creative journey handsomely, but understanding their strengths and limitations will help you make an informed investment in your art.

Accessorize and Expand Your Creativity

Once you decide, consider these complementary items:

• For Olympus E-P2: Compatible Micro Four Thirds primes (45mm f/1.8, 17mm f/1.8), optional VF-2 electronic viewfinder, external flashes.

• For Pentax K-50: Weather-sealed zoom lenses (e.g., DA 18-135mm), fast primes (DA 50mm f/1.8), rugged camera bags for outdoor use.

Getting the right gear alongside your chosen camera unlocks vast creative potential.

In closing, regardless of which model you lean toward, both the Olympus E-P2 and Pentax K-50 invite you to grow as a photographer and explore diverse styles and subjects with confidence.

Happy shooting!