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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2 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
  • Announced February 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL3
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-S1
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL2 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the K-S2 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-PL2 grades versus the K-S2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Pentax K-S2

 E-PL2 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Olympus E-PL2

 K-S2 E-PL2 
LaunchedFebruary 2015February 2011Fresher by 48 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-S2

 E-PL2 K-S2 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 offers outer measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Pentax K-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the E-PL2 and the K-S2.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and K-S2 is 85 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through specifications. The graphic underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL2 and K-S2.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-S2 will give you greater detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older E-PL2 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL2
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
78
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography features
Pentax K-S2 Street photography features
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
72
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competitors in class (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography info
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography info
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (280 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
70
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
bad battery (280 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography advice
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (280 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
71
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (678g)
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-S2
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Pentax K-S2
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Pentax K-S2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-02-11 2015-02-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
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 Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 5.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
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 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362 grams (0.80 pounds) 678 grams (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 photographs 410 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $0 $581