Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax W80

The following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus E-P2 versus Pentax W80, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-P2 (12MP) and the W80 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and W80 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-P2 was unveiled 11 months after the W80 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax W80 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-P2 grades against the W80 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-P2 and Pentax Optio W80. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-P2 Gallery and Pentax W80 Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P2 comes with outer dimensions 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 W80 has dimensions of 100mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-P2 versus Pentax W80 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-P2 against the W80.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-P2 and W80 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Quite often, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The image here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P2 and W80.

Clearly, both of these cameras have the same megapixels albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-P2 provides the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field less difficult. The more recent E-P2 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.