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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL3
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Revealed May 2012
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-01, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and K-01 (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The E-PL2 was released 15 months earlier than the K-01 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-PL2 matches up against the K-01 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Pentax K-01

 E-PL2 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Olympus E-PL2

 K-01 E-PL2 
RevealedMay 2012February 2011Newer by 15 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-01

 E-PL2 K-01 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL2 has got outside measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has sizing of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-01 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the E-PL2 versus the K-01.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and K-01 is 85 and 76 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading through a spec sheet. The pic underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL2 and K-01.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-01 will give more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged E-PL2 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography factors
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography information
Pentax K-01 Street photography information
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
more heavy than average in class (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Pentax K-01
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (280 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (540 shots)
low fps (6.0 frames per second)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
Travel photography with Pentax K-01
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (280 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
65
better than average battery pack (540 shots)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than average in class (561g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL2
Landscape photography with Pentax K-01
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (280 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-01 Vlogging advice
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (561 grams)
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-01
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Pentax K-01
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Pentax K-01
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-02-11 2012-05-30
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 81
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362g (0.80 pounds) 561g (1.24 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 79
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 12.9
DXO Low light score 573 1135
Other
Battery life 280 photos 540 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $0 $899