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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL3
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-50, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) use totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL2 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the K-50 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-PL2 scores vs the K-50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Pentax K-50

 E-PL2 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Olympus E-PL2

 K-50 E-PL2 
ReleasedNovember 2013February 2011Newer by 34 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-50

 E-PL2 K-50 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL2 has external measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-50 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL2 versus the K-50.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and K-50 is 85 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions only by viewing specs. The picture underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL2 and K-50.

All in all, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-50 will result in greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged E-PL2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography factors
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
74
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography factors
Pentax K-50 Street photography factors
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
heavier than competitors (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-50 Sports photography advice
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (280 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
Travel photography with Pentax K-50
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery life (280 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
56
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
bad battery life (410 shots)
heavier than competitors (650 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography information
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
bad battery life (280 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL2
Vlogging with Pentax K-50
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competitors (650 grams)
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-50
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Pentax K-50
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2011-02-11 2013-11-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 51600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
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
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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 Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362g (0.80 pounds) 650g (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 79
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 13.0
DXO Low light score 573 1120
Other
Battery life 280 images 410 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $0 $610