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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Announced February 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL3
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

The following is a complete overview of the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax RS1500, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is very well matched but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and RS1500 (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL2 was announced at a similar time to the RS1500 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL2 scores vs the RS1500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Pentax RS1500

 E-PL2 RS1500 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Olympus E-PL2

 RS1500 E-PL2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax RS1500

 E-PL2 RS1500 
RevealedFebruary 2011March 2011Similar generation
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 provides exterior 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 RS1500 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL2 versus Pentax RS1500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL2 versus the RS1500.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and RS1500 is 85 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and RS1500.

Clearly, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax RS1500 will give extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography features
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography features
60
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
35
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Street photography camera
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
54
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Pentax RS1500
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (280 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
37
good megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
Travel photography with Pentax RS1500
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (280 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
67
environment proofing
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Landscape photography camera
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (280 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
40
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good megapixels (14MP)
environment proofing
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL2
Vlogging with Pentax RS1500
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
25
fairly wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax RS1500
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-02-11 2011-03-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362g (0.80 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 260 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $0 $150