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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL3
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Later Model is Pentax K-5
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-7, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is relatively close but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and K-7 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL2 was released 17 months later than the K-7 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-PL2 grades versus the K-7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Pentax K-7

 E-PL2 K-7 
IntroducedFebruary 2011October 2009More recent by 17 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Olympus E-PL2

 K-7 E-PL2 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-7

 E-PL2 K-7 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 comes with exterior measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Pentax K-7 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-7 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL2 vs the K-7.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and K-7 is 85 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching specs. The photograph here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL2 and K-7.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL2 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-7 will render extra detail as a result of its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The more recent E-PL2 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
72
you can focus manually
decent MP (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Sports photography highlights
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (280 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
69
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography details
Pentax K-7 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (280 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
64
weather sealing
decent MP (15MP)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography factors
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery life (280 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
77
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging information
Pentax K-7 Vlogging information
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
25
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-7
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Pentax K-7
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Pentax K-7
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-02-11 2009-10-02
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 6400 2000
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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) 750g (1.65 pounds)
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 Overall score 55 61
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 10.6
DXO Low light score 573 536
Other
Battery life 280 images 980 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $0 $599