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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Released February 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL3
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released February 2010
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the W90 (12MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and W90 (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL2 was manufactured 12 months later than the W90 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-PL2 scores vs the W90 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Pentax W90

 E-PL2 W90 
ReleasedFebruary 2011February 2010More recent by 12 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Olympus E-PL2

 W90 E-PL2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax W90

 E-PL2 W90 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL2 offers 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) and the Pentax W90 has sizing of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL2 compared to the W90.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and W90 is 85 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and W90.

As you have seen, both the cameras have got the exact same megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PL2 offers the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult. The newer E-PL2 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax W90 Portrait photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL2
Street photography with Pentax W90
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
54
environment proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography highlights
Pentax W90 Sports photography highlights
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (280 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
24
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
Travel photography with Pentax W90
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
not so great battery (280 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
environment proofing
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery (280 shots)
no Timelapse function
37
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
environment proofing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging highlights
Pentax W90 Vlogging highlights
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
25
relatively wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax W90
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Pentax Optio W90
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Released 2011-02-11 2010-02-24
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362g (0.80 lb) 164g (0.36 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $0 $120