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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(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
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL3
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-x, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is relatively close but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and K-x (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL2 was revealed 14 months after the K-x which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a short summation of how the E-PL2 grades vs the K-x in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 E-PL2 K-x 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011December 2009More modern by 14 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

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

 K-x E-PL2 

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

 E-PL2 K-x 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 features outer dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax K-x in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL2 against the K-x.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and K-x is 85 and 69 respectively.

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

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes merely by viewing specs. The pic below may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and K-x.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got the exact same MP albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PL2 comes with the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF tougher. The more recent E-PL2 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-x Portrait photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography information
Pentax K-x Street photography information
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Pentax K-x
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery power (280 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (1,900 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-x Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery power (280 CIPA)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
54
great battery pack (1,900 per charge)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-x Landscape photography features
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
low battery power (280 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (1,900 per charge)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL2
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone port
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax K-x
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Pentax K-x
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Pentax K-x
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-02-11 2009-12-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 16.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s 1/180s
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 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362g (0.80 pounds) 580g (1.28 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 72
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 12.5
DXO Low light score 573 811
Other
Battery life 280 photos 1900 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $0 $600