Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-500

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-500: A Technical and Practical Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera is critically dependent on understanding how technical specifications translate into real-world photographic performance and workflow efficiency. This comparative review examines two entry-level models released within a few years of one another but representing distinct design philosophies and user segments: the Olympus PEN E-PL2 - a compact mirrorless camera - and the Pentax K-500, a more traditional DSLR. Drawing on extensive hands-on testing and established evaluation methods, this article aims to deliver a nuanced, detailed dissection of these cameras across key photographic disciplines, operational ergonomics, and advanced technical performance.

Design, Build, and Handling: Size vs. Presence

The Olympus E-PL2 sports a rangefinder-style mirrorless design emphasizing compactness and portability. At 114x72x42 mm and 362 grams, it is markedly smaller and lighter than the Pentax K-500, which measures 130x97x71 mm and weighs 646 grams. For photographers prioritizing mobility and discreetness, the Olympus significantly reduces carry weight and bulk.

However, the weight difference also reflects their structural composition. The Pentax K-500, with its DSLR format and robust polycarbonate body, offers more substantial handhold and a design that aligns with traditional SLR ergonomics. Its larger grip and button placement suit photographers accustomed to long shooting sessions requiring firm handling and intuitive control placement.

Control layout further delineates handling philosophies. The E-PL2’s top plate lacks a dedicated mode dial and relies heavily on menu navigation and rear dials, which may be less favorable for rapid adjustments in dynamic shooting environments. The K-500 incorporates more physical controls on top, including exposure mode dials, offering tactile immediacy appreciated in genres like sports or wildlife.

Both cameras lack environmental sealing, rendering them vulnerable in adverse weather, a consideration for outdoor landscape and wildlife photographers.

Sensor Specifications and Image Quality Implications

At the heart of any camera’s imaging capability is the sensor. The Olympus E-PL2 incorporates a Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm (224.9 mm²) with a 12-megapixel resolution (4032x3024). In contrast, the K-500 features a larger APS-C CMOS sensor (23.7 x 15.7 mm, 372.09 mm²) with 16 megapixels (4928x3264), affording inherently better light-gathering and resolution potential.

The larger sensor area of the K-500 results in several practical advantages:

• Dynamic Range: Measured DXO scores indicate the K-500 achieves approximately 13.1 EV dynamic range, surpassing the E-PL2’s 10.2 EV. This grants enhanced ability to capture shadow and highlight detail, advantageous in landscape and high-contrast portraiture.

• Color Depth: The Pentax sensor offers a superior color depth (23.7 bits vs. 21.4 bits) translating to more nuanced tonal gradations, critical for skin tone rendition and subtle color shifts.

• Low-Light Performance: The K-500 exhibits higher native ISO capability (up to 51,600) and a better low light DXO score of 1087, compared to the E-PL2’s ISO 6400 maximum and lower low-light score (573). Consequently, the Pentax delivers cleaner images at elevated ISOs, facilitating night, astro, and event photography.

• Resolution: While the 12 MP of the Olympus may suffice for casual print sizes and web use, the 16 MP K-500 provides greater cropping flexibility and print detail, especially beneficial in landscape and macro work.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

The Olympus E-PL2 employs contrast-detection autofocus only, relying on 11 focus points without phase detection. This system is inherently slower and less effective at tracking fast-moving subjects, particularly in low-light conditions, although the E-PL2 impressively includes face detection capabilities for improved portrait focus.

Conversely, the K-500 integrates a hybrid system with 11 AF points, including 9 cross-type sensors, blending both phase and contrast detection to improve focus speed and accuracy. The inclusion of phase detection allows for noticeably more reliable subject tracking in continuous autofocus (AF-C) mode.

This technical difference manifests in practical usage:

• Sports and Wildlife: The K-500’s autofocus provides superior focus acquisition and tracking accuracy on erratically moving subjects, making it the more dependable choice for photographers capturing wildlife or sports action.

• Portrait and Street Photography: While face detection on the E-PL2 helps with static subjects, low-light or fast-paced situations can challenge the camera’s AF system.

Image Stabilization and Lens Compatibility

Both cameras feature sensor-based image stabilization, which improves handheld shooting sharpness across a variety of lenses. Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount boasts a lens lineup of approximately 107 available models, including a strong selection of native primes and high-quality zooms.

Pentax’s KAF2 mount supports around 151 lenses, with a broader selection due to Pentax’s compatibility with older and third-party K-mount lenses, offering significant versatility for enthusiasts expanding their system.

The choice of mount affects:

• Macro work: Pentax lenses often include specialized macro optics with high magnification and close focusing distances, while Olympus’s compact lenses with stabilizers are favorable for easy handheld macro. However, the Olympus FS is constrained by the smaller sensor’s crop factor (2.1x), which influences effective focal lengths.

• Telephoto reach: The Pentax APS-C sensor with a 1.5x crop factor offers a wider field of view than the Olympus Four Thirds sensor crop (2.1x), influencing telephoto lens selection and reach, relevant in wildlife shooting.

Display and Viewfinder Analysis

Both cameras have a 3-inch fixed LCD screen. The K-500’s screen has a noticeably higher resolution (921k dots) compared to the E-PL2’s 460k dots, resulting in sharper image review and menu readability. However, neither camera incorporates a touchscreen interface, which is a notable omission given the convenience afforded in more modern models.

Conspicuously, the E-PL2 lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), offering only an optional accessory EVF with limited resolution and usability. The absence of any built-in viewfinder can hinder composition under bright conditions, especially for users used to traditional DSLRs.

The Pentax K-500 sports a full pentaprism optical viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.61x magnification, delivering a bright, lag-free view with precise framing. For users prioritizing manual focus, fast action photography, or seeking optical clarity, the K-500’s optical viewfinder provides an undeniable advantage.

Burst and Shutter Capabilities for Action Photography

Frame rate is central for sports and wildlife photographers. The E-PL2 can shoot at a modest 3 fps continuous shooting speed with limited buffer. Meanwhile, the K-500 achieves 6 fps, doubling the capacity to capture fast sequences and increasing the odds of nailing critical moments during action.

Shutter speeds also differ: the E-PL2 maxes out at 1/4000s compared to the K-500’s 1/6000s, adding flexibility for shooting wide apertures in bright light or capturing extremely fast motion without blur.

Video Functionality and Multimedia Considerations

Video recording remains a critical requirement for many users. The Olympus E-PL2 offers HD video capture at 1280x720p30 with Motion JPEG compression. This is a relatively basic feature set with modest resolution and less efficient file formats, which result in larger files and less editing latitude.

The Pentax K-500 supports Full HD (1920x1080) recording at multiple frame rates, including 24p and 30p, using efficient MPEG-4 and H.264 formats. This more contemporary specification is better suited for users seeking higher-quality video output and smoother playback.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone input jacks, limiting advanced audio recording and monitoring capabilities, a relevant drawback for semi-professional videographers.

Battery and Storage Practicalities

The Olympus E-PL2 uses a proprietary BLS-5 rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated for approximately 280 shots per charge. This relatively modest battery life suits casual or travel users but can frustrate heavy shooters without spares or charging options.

The K-500’s design uniquely utilizes four AA batteries, which are widely available globally and support up to 710 shots per charge according to CIPA standards. This flexibility is a practical advantage when traveling or in remote areas where charging options are limited.

Both employ a single card slot supporting SD/SDHC, with the K-500 additionally compatible with SDXC for expanded storage capacity.

Practical Image Samples and Genre-Specific Performance

Olympus E PL2 front Olympus E PL2 screen back Pentax K 500 front Pentax K 500 screen back

Extensive image testing across genres reveals clear differentiation:

• Portraiture: The K-500’s larger sensor provides smoother skin tones and superior bokeh rendition compared to the E-PL2’s smaller sensor and Four Thirds lenses. The Olympus benefits from built-in image stabilization, helping reduce blur in handheld portrait scenarios.

• Landscapes: The pentaprism viewfinder and broader dynamic range of the Pentax deliver more satisfying results in compositional precision and highlight/shadow detail retention.

• Wildlife and Sports: Faster autofocus, higher frame rates, and bigger buffer capacity place the K-500 decisively ahead.

• Street Photography: The E-PL2’s smaller and lighter form factor offers an edge in discretion and portability though compromised viewfinder performance may affect framing accuracy.

• Macro Photography: Both cameras perform competently, though Pentax’s broader lens selection offers more options for high-magnification work.

• Night & Astro: The K-500’s superior high ISO and longer shutter support make it a better candidate.

• Travel Photography: Olympus’s compactness and lighter weight are assets for those prioritizing minimalism, but the K-500’s battery versatility and higher overall image quality make it an excellent choice for serious travel photographers.

Authoritative Performance Ratings Overview

These professional-grade performance matrices consolidate technical scores and field test observations. The K-500 consistently scores higher on sensor quality, autofocus efficacy, shutter speed range, and video capability. Meanwhile, the E-PL2 appeals through size and stabilization but scores comparatively lower in overall imaging performance metrics.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

Neither camera offers built-in wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, limiting direct-to-device transfers and remote control capabilities. For workflow integration, the K-500’s USB 2.0 interface supports tethered shooting but both cameras are outpaced by modern counterparts.

The E-PL2’s HDMI output facilitates direct playback on monitors but lacks the ability for external recording. The K-500 surprisingly does not include an HDMI port, constraining its multimedia connectivity.

Price and Value Considerations

At launch, the Olympus E-PL2 catered to budget-conscious beginners entering the mirrorless ecosystem, with incremental advancements over prior PEN models but limited in modern conveniences. The Pentax K-500 positioned itself at a moderate entry-level DSLR price around $600, reflecting its more robust feature set and substantial sensor upgrade.

Today, both models represent older technology, but the K-500’s higher baseline performance and DSLR characteristics may offer better longevity for users prioritizing image quality, speed, and diverse photography disciplines.

Summary Recommendations by User Profile

Conclusion: Balancing Compactness Against Imaging Prowess

The Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-500 exemplify divergent approaches to entry-level digital photography circa early 2010s. The E-PL2 delivers commendable image stabilization, portability, and intuitive use ideal for casual photographers and travelers valuing size and simplicity. However, it is limited by a smaller sensor, slower autofocus, and basic video capabilities.

In contrast, the Pentax K-500, despite its heavier, bulkier DSLR form factor, offers significant advantages in image quality, sensor dynamics, AF performance, and video functionality. It caters to more demanding users who require speed, precision, and higher resolution, serving as a durable platform with access to a comprehensive lens catalogue.

Potential buyers must weigh their usage priorities carefully: whether ease of carry and compactness outweighs professional-grade imaging specifications and operational speed. Both cameras remain relevant for particular niches today, but the K-500’s layered feature set and sensor technology place it ahead for most serious photographic disciplines.

This comparative review draws on direct testing, DXO analytics, and known operational characteristics to deliver an expert articulation of these two cameras’ capabilities, assisting readers in making methodical, informed decisions grounded in functional reality rather than marketing hyperbole.