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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax Q

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Launched February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL3
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Announced June 2011
  • Successor is Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax Q Overview

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") use different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL2 was announced 4 months before the Q and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-PL2 matches up versus the Q with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Pentax Q

 E-PL2 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-PL2

 Q E-PL2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax Q

 E-PL2 Q 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011June 2011Same generation
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL2 comes with physical measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

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Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL2 versus the Q.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and Q is 85 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by checking out technical specs. The pic below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL2 and Q.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PL2 features the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF less difficult.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
45
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography information
Pentax Q Street photography information
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography info
Pentax Q Sports photography info
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (280 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (230 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography details
Pentax Q Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (280 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
57
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography details
Pentax Q Landscape photography details
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (280 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (230 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q Vlogging highlights
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Pentax Q
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Pentax Q
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-02-11 2011-06-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Available lenses 107 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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 362 grams (0.80 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 47
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.2 11.1
DXO Low light rating 573 189
Other
Battery life 280 shots 230 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $0 $695