Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-500
85 Imaging
48 Features
47 Overall
47
64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62
Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-500 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
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
- Successor is Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Revealed November 2013
Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-500 Overview
On this page, we are analyzing the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-500, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and K-500 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.
Photography GlossaryThe E-PL2 was launched 3 years before the K-500 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-PL2 scores versus the K-500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-500 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL2 & Pentax K-500. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery & Pentax K-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Pentax K-500
E-PL2 | K-500 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Olympus E-PL2
K-500 | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2013 | February 2011 | More recent by 34 months | |
Display resolution | 921k | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-500
E-PL2 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Very precise focusing | |||
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display sizing | |
Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
Touch display | Lacking Touch display |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to lug around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 enjoys exterior dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL2 compared to the K-500.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and K-500 is 85 and 64 respectively.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reviewing technical specs. The visual here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and K-500.
As you can tell, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL2 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-500 will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The older E-PL2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Pentax K-500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Pentax K-500 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2011-02-11 | 2013-11-27 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | 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 surface area | 224.9mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 51600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 107 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | 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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/160s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 362g (0.80 pounds) | 646g (1.42 pounds) |
Physical 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 rating | 55 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.2 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 573 | 1087 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 280 photos | 710 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $0 | $600 |