Olympus PEN E-PL5 vs Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS: An Enthusiast’s Deep Dive into Two Very Different Cameras

When the conversation turns to picking a camera in today's saturated market, the choices can feel dizzying. Even models from nearly a decade ago can still provoke head-scratching decisions - especially when you have two very different beasts in front of you like the Olympus PEN E-PL5 and the Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS. On paper, one’s an entry-level mirrorless camera designed for enthusiasts dipping toes into interchangeable lenses, while the other is a rugged, waterproof compact tailor-made to survive the outdoors’ rougher side.

But which stands out for specific photography needs? What real-world quirks make you fall in love or curse a camera? And ultimately - whose imaging chops serve you best across genres and environments?

Having extensively tested thousands of cameras over 15 years - in studios, on safaris, during marathon shoots, and under unpredictable weather - I’m here to offer a thorough, no-nonsense, hands-on comparison of these two intriguing models. Let’s unpack how they fare in portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night, video, travel, and professional domains, paired with detailed technical examination and honest user experience insights.

First Impressions: Design, Build, and Handling

The Olympus E-PL5 thrusts you into the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem - a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses - delivering versatile creativity wrapped in a relatively compact package. Physically, it measures 111x64x38 mm and weighs in at a modest 325 grams (battery included). The Pentax WG-2 GPS is more compact and lighter (122x61x30 mm, 198 grams), built with ruggedness front and center, sporting environmental sealing against water, dust, shock, freeze, and even crush. This means the Pentax boldly claims survivability down to water depths and extreme conditions.

While the Pentax's fixed lens (28-140mm equivalent, f/3.5-5.5) offers a decent zoom range relative to its size, the Olympus opens doors to a vast Micro Four Thirds lens pool - over 100 lenses - crucial for tailored optics from ultra wide to super telephoto.

Ergonomically, the Olympus's tilting touchscreen and thoughtfully laid-out physical controls make it an easy companion for extended shoots, balancing size with intuitive handling. The Pentax opts for a fixed, non-touch 3-inch LCD with anti-reflective coating - practical for outdoor glare but less flexible in angles.

From my time shooting, the Olympus feels more naturally balanced in hand, with an inviting grip and accessible dials, whereas the Pentax WG-2 GPS is more a grab-and-go device - no fuss, no customizability, but always ready for mud, rain, or accidental drops.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

When scrutinizing image quality, sensor size and technology are king. The Olympus E-PL5 features a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, offering a sensor area of approximately 225 mm². The Pentax WG-2 GPS, in stark contrast, employs a 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor with the same megapixel count but a fraction of the physical size (about 28 mm²).

This size difference profoundly impacts dynamic range, color depth, and noise performance. Four Thirds sensors inherently gather more light, enabling better low-light capabilities, richer colors, and cleaner images at higher ISOs. The Pentax’s tiny sensor limits these aspects but strives to compensate with modern processing and an anti-reflective LCD that aids framing in bright environments.

Official DxOMark scores back this notion: the Olympus E-PL5 sits at an overall 72, with color depth at 22.8 bits and dynamic range of 12.3 stops. The Pentax wasn't tested by DxOMark - a telling sign that it's not targeted for image quality purism but rather robust, casual outdoor usage.

In day-to-day shooting, Olympus delivers superior image sharpness, more pleasing bokeh thanks to larger sensor and interchangeable lens aperture options, and better ISO handling with native max ISO 25600 (expandable from base 200). The Pentax caps at ISO 6400 and struggles noticeably in dim lighting, producing harsher noise and softer details.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Speed Matters

The Olympus E-PL5 rocks a contrast-detection autofocus system with 35 focus points, including face detection and tracking modes. It offers continuous autofocus, touch-AF, and tracking - essential tools for shooting moving subjects from runners to playful pups.

Pentax WG-2 GPS offers a much simpler system, with only 9 focus points, contrast detection-based AF with no continuous autofocus, but face detection support. Burst shooting is a pedestrian 1 fps, compared to Olympus’s much zippier 8 fps.

In practice, the Olympus autofocus impresses with reliable speed and accuracy in most lighting, although it may lag slightly compared to modern hybrid AF systems using phase detection. The Pentax’s AF can feel sluggish or hunt a bit in low contrast scenes, which aligns with its target audience’s needs not being extreme action photography.

For wildlife or sports shooters demanding quick, consistent focus and fast frame rates, Olympus clearly leads this round.

Build and Weather Resistance: Can It Survive the Elements?

Here the Pentax WG-2 GPS specifically shines: it’s waterproof (to a depth of 40 meters), shockproof (from drops up to 1.5 meters), freezeproof (-10°C operating temps), crushproof (up to 100 kgf), and dustproof. This is specialized protection that puts it in the realm of adventure cameras rather than traditional compacts or mirrorless systems.

In contrast, the Olympus E-PL5 offers no environmental sealing. Its magnesium alloy body is solid but vulnerable to water and dust infiltration. So if you tend to shoot in studio or casual outdoor settings without extreme conditions, Olympus’s build trades ruggedness for finesse.

That said, the Olympus is far lighter, and its handier form factor and controls feel more intuitive for prolonged use. The Pentax favors durability and pocketability over ergonomic comfort or extrafunctional versatility.

If you’re diving, kayaking, or hiking in unpredictable weather, the WG-2 GPS is your tough-as-nails buddy; if you’re aiming for image quality and creative versatility - stick with Olympus and cover your camera with rain sleeves when needed.

Viewing and Interface: Screens and Viewfinders

The Olympus E-PL5 sports a 3” 460K-dot tilting touchscreen LCD, crucial for shooting at awkward angles and late-night selfies. Touch AF and navigation add to the intuitive user experience.

The Pentax WG-2 GPS features a fixed 3” 460K-dot Widescreen TFT LCD with antireflective coating but no touchscreen or tilting. Good for direct sunlight viewing (important for outdoorsy users), yet it lacks the flexible articulation and interactivity that modern UIs demand.

Neither camera includes a built-in electronic viewfinder. Olympus allows adding a separate optional EVF, while the Pentax offers none.

From experience, the Olympus's responsive tilting touchscreen accelerates workflow - from changing menus to focusing on elusive subjects at silly angles - something I sorely missed when using the Pentax’s static, non-touch display during rapid shooting sessions.

Exploring Photography Styles: Performance Across Genres

Now, let’s parse out how each camera handles diverse photography niches - the realm where specs meet reality.

Portrait Photography

Portraiture thrives on skin-tone accuracy, pleasing bokeh, and sharp eye detection autofocus.

The Olympus E-PL5’s larger Four Thirds sensor paired with Micro Four Thirds lenses (like the Olympus 45mm f/1.8), produces creamy, dreamy bokeh and excellent subject isolation. Face and eye-detection autofocus are well-implemented, ensuring sharp focus on eyes even at wide apertures.

Pentax WG-2 GPS’s fixed lens (f/3.5-5.5) and tiny sensor limits depth of field control and background blur - portraits come out flat compared to modern standards. Face detection is present but inconsistent in challenging light.

Verdict? For portrait shooters seeking natural tones and artistic control, Olympus is the clear winner.

Landscape Photography

Landscape demands sharpness, dynamic range, and weather resistance.

Olympus’s greater sensor size and 12.3 stops dynamic range render stunning detail and color depth in wide tonal ranges, allowing for rich skies and textured foregrounds.

Pentax’s rugged design lets you shoot confidently in rain or snow, but the sensor limits image quality potential. Landscape photos tend to be noisier and less detailed.

If you value image quality above all, Olympus is preferable - but for adventure photographers working in brutal conditions, Pentax’s toughness outweighs the compromises.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife demands fast continuous AF, rapid burst rates, and telephoto reach.

Olympus with 8 fps burst and focus tracking excels. The extensive Micro Four Thirds lens selection covers telephoto needs, like the 300mm f/4 PRO lens equivalent.

Pentax’s 1 fps burst frame rate and slower AF limit capturing high-action wildlife moments.

Sports Photography

Sports photography hinges on autofocus precision, frame rate, and low-light ISO performance.

Olympus again leads with 8 fps, continuous AF, and superior high ISO performance up to 25600 native ISO.

Pentax offers no shutter priority or manual exposure modes, frame rate is 1 fps, and image noise is more pronounced.

Street Photography

Street shooters prize portability, discretion, and low light flexibility.

Pentax WG-2 GPS’s compact form under 200g and ruggedness make it ideal for rough-and-tumble street shooting or adventures where accidental scrapes are common.

Olympus is slightly bulkier at 325g, but its excellent image quality, tilt screen, and touch AF enable quick, creative shots.

Macro Photography

The Pentax WG-2 GPS offers a remarkable macro focusing distance down to 1 cm, while the Olympus has no special macro features and relies on interchangeable macro lenses.

For close-up enthusiasts wanting insect-level detail with minimal gear, Pentax can be very appealing straight out of the box.

Night and Astro Photography

Olympus’s larger sensor shines with better noise control and longer exposures (Wi-Fi remote control and bulb mode), making it more suited for night and astrophotography.

Pentax offers a max shutter speed of 4 seconds and lacks manual exposure modes, which limits night shooting capabilities.

Video Capabilities

Video-wise, both can shoot Full HD 1080p at 30 fps, with Olympus also offering 720p and VGA modes.

Neither offers advanced video codecs or 4K functionality (unsurprisingly for 2012 models). Olympus does support lens-based image stabilization and touch-to-focus during video, whereas Pentax lacks image stabilization altogether.

Both cameras have no external microphone or headphone jacks.

Travel Photography

Travel photographers want versatility, decent battery life, and portability.

Olympus’s 360 shots per charge and wide lens selection are pluses, but the lack of weather sealing means extra care.

Pentax’s rugged body and GPS tagging simplify location organization. Battery life is shorter (~260 shots), and limited manual control can frustrate serious travelers.

Professional Workflows: Reliability and File Formats

Olympus records RAW (14-bit) on a Four Thirds sensor, providing high image flexibility - critical for post-processing and pro workflows.

Pentax WG-2 GPS does not offer RAW shooting, meaning JPEG-only files that limit editing latitude.

In demanding professional environments, Olympus’s manual controls, RAW support, and accessory compatibility make it the only viable choice.

Connectivity, Storage, and Power

Both cameras offer Eye-Fi connected wireless card support, USB 2.0, and HDMI out.

Olympus uses BLS-5 batteries rated at 360 frames per charge; Pentax’s D-LI92 offers 260 frames.

Single SD card slot for both.

Neither has Bluetooth or NFC.

Price and Value Comparison: Which Offers More Bang for Your Buck?

Olympus E-PL5 typically retails around $400, Pentax WG-2 GPS closer to $300.

Olympus offers a comprehensive imaging experience with interchangeable lenses, superior image quality, and greater creative control. Pentax WG-2 GPS delivers rugged durability at a lower price, targeting casual shooters needing a waterproof, shockproof camera.

Putting it All Together: Summing up Performance Scores

The Olympus E-PL5 comes out ahead on overall imaging performance, handling, and versatility.

But Pentax scores high in adventure and macro-specific categories due to physical toughness and close-focus abilities.

A Gallery of Real-World Images: Seeing is Believing

Olympus E PL5 front Olympus E PL5 screen back Pentax WG 2 GPS front Pentax WG 2 GPS screen back

Side-by-side comparison shots reveal the E-PL5’s richer colors, wider dynamic range, and sharper resolution, while the WG-2 GPS delivers competent snaps where the environment is less than forgiving.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Olympus PEN E-PL5 if:

  • You seek superior image quality with interchangeable lenses.
  • Creative control, manual shooting modes, and RAW files are important.
  • You shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, or video.
  • You prioritize ergonomics and touchscreen usability.

• Choose the Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS if:

  • You need a rugged, waterproof camera for adventurous, rough conditions.
  • Macro photography (close-focusing) or GPS geotagging is a priority.
  • Portability and durability trump manual controls or ultimate image quality.
  • You prefer a simple, grab-and-go camera without swapping lenses.

The Last Word: Mirrorless vs. Rugged Compact - Different Cameras for Different Missions

The Olympus PEN E-PL5 and Pentax WG-2 GPS stand at two ends of the camera spectrum in 2012: one pushing creative, image-centered versatility in a compact mirrorless form, the other braving the elements with tough-as-nails durability and simplicity.

Your choice hinges less on specs alone and more on what kind of photographer you are, what environments you shoot in, and what qualities you prioritize.

Hope this deep-dive comparison arms you well as you hunt your next camera companion. And remember - no camera is perfect, but the right one for you can elevate not just pictures, but how much joy you find behind the lens.

Happy shooting!