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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced May 2010
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Old Model is Pentax K-S1
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-S2, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1 was introduced 5 years earlier than the K-S2 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-PL1 scores versus the K-S2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax K-S2

 E-PL1 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Olympus E-PL1

 K-S2 E-PL1 
IntroducedFebruary 2015May 2010More modern by 57 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-S2

 E-PL1 K-S2 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys physical measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-S2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PL1 versus the K-S2.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and K-S2 is 86 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The picture underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and K-S2.

Clearly, both cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL1 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-S2 will render more detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
78
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Street photography factors
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
72
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competition (678g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.4 frames per second)
low battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography features
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
65
weather proof
decent megapixels (20MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Landscape photography camera
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
low battery pack (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging info
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
71
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (678g)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax K-S2
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax K-S2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-05-17 2015-02-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 3200 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lb) 678g (1.49 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos 410 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $288 $581