Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs
85 Imaging
47 Features
47 Overall
47


60 Imaging
57 Features
83 Overall
67
Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs
(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
- Launched February 2011
- Superseded the Olympus E-PL1s
- Newer Model is Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Announced June 2013
- Earlier Model is Pentax K-5

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview
Below is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-5 IIs, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

The E-PL2 was released 3 years earlier than the K-5 IIs and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-PL2 scores vs the K-5 IIs when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL2 and Pentax K-5 IIs. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery and Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Pentax K-5 IIs
E-PL2 | K-5 IIs |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Olympus E-PL2
K-5 IIs | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2013 | ![]() | February 2011 | More recent by 28 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-5 IIs
E-PL2 | K-5 IIs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither features Touch display |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 enjoys outer measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).
See the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-5 IIs in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL2 against the K-5 IIs.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and K-5 IIs is 85 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements simply by checking out specifications. The photograph below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL2 and K-5 IIs.
Plainly, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL2 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-5 IIs will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The older E-PL2 will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Pentax K-5 IIs | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Pentax K-5 IIs |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2011-02-11 | 2013-06-04 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Truepic V | Prime II |
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 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 51200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 107 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 10.00 m | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/160s | 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) | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 362 gr (0.80 lbs) | 760 gr (1.68 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 55 | 82 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.4 | 23.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.2 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light score | 573 | 1208 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 280 images | 980 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $0 | $749 |