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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W80

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Pentax Optio W80 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W80 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
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL3
Pentax W80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 156g - 100 x 56 x 25mm
  • Released June 2009
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W80 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax W80, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the W80 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and W80 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL2 was released 20 months later than the W80 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax W80 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-PL2 grades against the W80 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Pentax W80

 E-PL2 W80 
ReleasedFebruary 2011June 2009More recent by 20 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W80 over the Olympus E-PL2

 W80 E-PL2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax W80

 E-PL2 W80 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W80 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 offers exterior 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) while the Pentax W80 has dimensions of 100mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax W80 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-PL2 against the W80.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W80 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and W80 is 85 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W80 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W80 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements simply by going through specifications. The photograph underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL2 and W80.

Plainly, both of those cameras have the same megapixels albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-PL2 contains the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult. The more recent E-PL2 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W80 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W80 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax W80 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
27
focusing manually
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography factors
Pentax W80 Street photography factors
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
54
environment proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography advice
Pentax W80 Sports photography advice
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery life (280 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
24
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography features
Pentax W80 Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (280 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
64
environment proof
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax W80 as a Landscape photography camera
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (280 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
37
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
environment proof
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.5")
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging info
Pentax W80 Vlogging info
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
25
relatively wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax W80
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Pentax Optio W80
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Pentax Optio W80
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-02-11 2009-06-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362g (0.80 lb) 156g (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 100 x 56 x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI78
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $0 $250