Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax ist DL2
86 Imaging
47 Features
42 Overall
45


69 Imaging
44 Features
33 Overall
39
Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
- Introduced April 2010
- Succeeded the Olympus E-P1
- Later Model is Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200
- Pentax KAF Mount
- 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
- Launched January 2006

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview
In this write-up, we are contrasting the Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax ist DL2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the E-P2 (12MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and ist DL2 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

The E-P2 was introduced 4 years later than the ist DL2 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-P2 matches up versus the ist DL2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-P2 & Pentax ist DL2. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-P2 Gallery & Pentax ist DL2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Pentax ist DL2
E-P2 | ist DL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2010 | ![]() | January 2006 | More recent by 52 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 210k | Clearer display (+20k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Olympus E-P2
ist DL2 | E-P2 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Pentax ist DL2
E-P2 | ist DL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P2 offers exterior measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DL2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax ist DL2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-P2 compared to the ist DL2.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P2 and ist DL2 is 86 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by going over specs. The photograph below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P2 and ist DL2.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-P2 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Olympus E-P2 will offer more detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The younger E-P2 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P2 | Pentax ist DL2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-P2 | Pentax ist DL2 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2010-04-22 | 2006-01-27 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic V | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 6 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 3008 x 2008 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 5 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF |
Number of lenses | 107 | 151 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 2.5 inches |
Screen resolution | 230k dots | 210k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Optical |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.57x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | - |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | No |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 355 grams (0.78 lb) | 565 grams (1.25 lb) |
Dimensions | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") | 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 56 | 65 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.5 | 22.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | 11.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 505 | 639 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 shots | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | BLS-1 | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/MMC card |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $799 | - |