Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2: Which Entry-Level Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

Having spent over 15 years rigorously testing digital cameras across genres and lighting conditions, I’ve developed a keen sense of what different photographers truly need and how specific gear performs beyond specs sheets. Today, I’m diving deep into a direct comparison between two popular entry-level cameras: the Micro Four Thirds mirrorless Olympus E-PL7, and the APS-C DSLR-style Pentax K-S2.

Both cameras appeal to enthusiast photographers seeking capable, budget-conscious tools, yet their technologies and designs diverge fundamentally. In this 2500-word article, I’ll share my personal experience and technical analysis of each, covering everything from sensor performance and autofocus to suitability for portrait, landscape, wildlife, and travel photography.

Let’s unpack where these cameras shine (and sometimes falter) in real-world use - to help you decide which might be your next trusty creative partner.

First Impressions & Handling: Ergonomics and Build

The Olympus E-PL7 and Pentax K-S2 couldn’t be more different in handling and size. The E-PL7 is compact, lightweight, and styled like a sleek rangefinder mirrorless camera. By contrast, the K-S2 sticks to a classic DSLR aesthetic but manages to be surprisingly compact for its class, with a rugged build including weather sealing.

The E-PL7 tips the scales at a mere 357g with dimensions roughly 115x67x38mm. Its slim profile makes it highly pocketable - perfect for everyday carry or travel. The K-S2 weighs nearly twice as much at 678g and measures 123x91x73mm. The extra heft lends a reassuring, confident grip, especially with larger lenses.

On top, the K-S2 features a traditional DSLR control layout with a pentaprism optical viewfinder. The E-PL7 opts out of a built-in viewfinder altogether, instead relying on its tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD and an optional electronic viewfinder accessory.

Handling-wise, I found the E-PL7 intuitive and fast for street and travel photography, where bouncing around quickly is key and you want to stay low-profile. The K-S2's deeper grip and physical dials are a godsend for longer sessions or outdoor shooting, where ruggedness and weather sealing come into play.

Investing time to customize the E-PL7’s touchscreen shortcuts significantly improved workflow. Conversely, the K-S2 rewards a tactile user who appreciates physical dials and an optical viewfinder for daylight shooting.

Sensor and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C

At the heart of any camera is its sensor. Olympus equipped the E-PL7 with a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13mm, while the Pentax K-S2 boasts a larger 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor at 23.5 x 15.6mm.

What does this mean practically?

The K-S2's sensor area of 366.6 mm² is about 63% larger than the E-PL7's 224.9 mm², giving it an edge for dynamic range and low light performance. The Olympus does have a slight anti-alias filter smoothing effect, while the Pentax opts to omit this filter for maximum detail sharpness.

In my tests shooting raw files side-by-side under varied lighting, the K-S2 consistently delivered richer images with higher resolution detail - particularly notable in landscape and portrait work with plenty of texture. Nikon’s PRIME MII image processor in the K-S2 does a good job managing noise up to ISO 6400, with usable results even beyond ISO 12,800 in some cases.

The E-PL7, powered by the TruePic VII processor, surprised me with clean, vibrant files for its class, especially up to ISO 1600. Beyond that, noise begins to degrade images more noticeably than on the K-S2.

Color reproduction on both cameras is pleasant and accurate. The E-PL7’s Micro Four Thirds sensor sometimes yields slightly warmer tones, which works well for skin but can need tweaking for landscape hues.

In sum, if highest image quality and low-light prowess are priorities, the K-S2’s sensor wins. The E-PL7 is no slouch but performs best in well-lit scenarios or for casual everyday snapshots.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience

Both cameras feature 3-inch LCDs, but their type and usability differ.

The E-PL7 has a 3-inch touchscreen with 1,037k-dot resolution and a 180-degree upward tilt mechanism, great for selfies and creative low-angle shots. Olympus’ touchscreen interface is smooth and responsive, letting you focus and shoot with taps, which feels natural to smartphone users.

Pentax’s K-S2 boasts a fully articulated 3-inch screen with 921k-dot resolution. Although it lacks touch functionality, it can flip out and rotate to almost any angle, a boon for video work, macro photography, and awkward angles. Its interface is button-driven but well organized.

One notable difference: the K-S2 includes an optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% frame coverage and 0.64x magnification - a perfect option for photographers who prefer composing through glass, especially in bright light or for fast-moving subjects. The E-PL7 must rely on its screen or an optional electronic viewfinder add-on.

Through my hands-on use, the optical viewfinder felt more natural for outdoor shooting with the K-S2, while the Olympus’s tilting screen and touch focus make it more flexible for creative framing - especially for video or selfies.

Autofocus Performance: Precision vs. Speed

The autofocus (AF) capabilities are a fundamental performance pillar, and both cameras employ distinct approaches.

• Olympus E-PL7: Contrast-detection AF with 81 selectable points and face detection.
• Pentax K-S2: Hybrid phase-detection and contrast AF with 11 AF points, aiding faster acquisition.

In shooting portraits, the E-PL7’s eye and face detection worked impressively well, locking focus quickly on faces for flattering skin details and smooth bokeh transitions. Its contrast AF system is generally accurate but can slow in low light or with moving subjects.

The K-S2’s phase-detection AF yields faster focus lock times, especially valuable for wildlife and sports photography. During a burst rate test, the K-S2 managed continuous shooting at 5.4fps with AF tracking, while the E-PL7 topped out at 8fps but with slower AF recalculation between shots.

While the Olympus can impress with sharp static portraits and street scenes, the K-S2 excels in dynamic scenarios requiring quick and reliable subject tracking.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Lens availability and flexibility determine a camera’s adaptability across genres.

The E-PL7 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, boasting over 100 native lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party manufacturers, ranging from ultra-wide angles to telephotos and dedicated macros.

Pentax’s K-S2 leverages the longstanding Pentax KAF2 mount with over 150 native lenses, including many classic primes and modern optics. Importantly, many manual-focus lenses from decades ago remain compatible, giving collectors and experimental shooters rich options.

In my experience, both systems provide excellent creative freedom. The MFT system is notably compact and lightweight, suiting travel and street photography. Pentax lenses tend to be bulkier but often deliver outstanding optics, solid build, and weather sealing, adding up to pros for landscape and outdoor enthusiasts.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

If you often shoot outdoors or in challenging conditions, weather sealing can be a deciding factor.

The Pentax K-S2 features robust environmental sealing against dust and light moisture, making it suitable for moderate adverse weather without protective covers. Its reinforced build feels durable without excessive weight.

By contrast, the Olympus E-PL7 lacks weather sealing and is more susceptible to moisture and dust ingress. The lightweight plastic chassis is sturdy for its class but not designed for rugged usage.

In my field tests during light rain and dusty trails, the K-S2’s toughness provided peace of mind, while the E-PL7 required careful use and protective accessories.

Shooting Across Photography Genres: Practical Insights

Let me bring this comparison to life by discussing where each camera performs best across several photography styles.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand accurate skin tones, pleasant bokeh, and reliable eye detection for pin-sharp results.

The Olympus E-PL7’s face-detection AF and 16MP sensor combine to capture warm, natural skin tones with lovely background separation when paired with fast primes (such as a 45mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko). Its 2.1x focal length crop can help telephoto effects with smaller lenses.

In contrast, the K-S2's APS-C sensor boosts resolution (20MP) and dynamic range, rendering subjects with fine details and better highlight control. However, its 11-point AF system, while fast, lacks the sophisticated dedicated eye-AF seen in more modern cameras.

Both cameras reproduce bokeh beautifully, though the larger sensor on the K-S2 naturally delivers shallower depth of field at equivalent focal lengths.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution are key landscape staples.

The Pentax K-S2 shines here, thanks to its bigger sensor capturing extended tonal gradations and finer textures in shadows and highlights. Weather sealing is another plus for fieldwork.

The E-PL7’s sensor is respectable, but limited dynamic range requires bracketing to safely capture high-contrast scenes. Micro Four Thirds lenses, being smaller, are more portable but sometimes less sharp at edges compared to prime K-mounts.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Speed is king - fast autofocus, frame rates, and telephoto reach matter.

Although the E-PL7 offers a respectable 8fps continuous shooting, its contrast-detection AF can struggle with rapid tracking outdoors.

The K-S2’s phase-contrast AF and 5.4fps frame rate worked well for tracking birds in flight and action sports, especially when paired with a good telephoto zoom.

Keep in mind the Olympus’s 2.1x crop factor yields longer effective reach using lightweight lenses - perfect for travel wildlife shooters constrained by weight.

Street Photography

Discretion and portability rule here.

Without a doubt, the E-PL7’s compact body and silent electronic shutter (up to 1/4000s) excel for candid street work. Its touchscreen AF lets me shoot quickly without fumbling dials.

The K-S2 is louder with its mirror slap and bigger footprint - less ideal for inconspicuous shooting. That said, the pentaprism viewfinder provides a classic street shooter experience.

Macro Photography

Macro requires precise focusing and steady handling.

“Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilization” combined with lightweight lenses was a boon for handheld close-ups, allowing subtle compositions.

The K-S2’s articulating screen was invaluable for framing tight macro shots at odd angles, although its greater weight can tire the hands during extended sessions.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO performance and long exposures matter most.

The Pentax’s larger sensor posted cleaner results at ISO 3200 and beyond, with slightly better control over starfield noise when I tested long exposures.

Both cameras support manual shutter modes and intervalometer functions for star trails, although the K-S2 offers faster maximum shutter speeds (up to 1/6000s).

Video Capabilities: Beyond Stills

If video is part of your creative workflow, here’s what to expect:

The Olympus E-PL7 delivers 1080p up to 30fps with solid quality and sensor-based stabilization, plus a useful tilting screen for vloggers and selfie enthusiasts. Its H.264 and Motion JPEG codecs are standard fare but there is no microphone input or headphone output, limiting audio control.

The Pentax K-S2 matches 1080p at 30fps and adds 720p at up to 60fps, suitable for slow motion. Critically, it includes a microphone input jack for better sound capture, a rare feature in entry-level DSLRs. However, the fully articulated screen can’t be used as a touchscreen.

Neither camera supports 4K video or high-speed frame rates, so they’re not ideal for modern video pros but capable enough for casual films.

Battery Life and Storage Options

The K-S2 boasts a slightly longer battery life at 410 shots per charge compared to the E-PL7’s 350. In my experience, this equates to a half-day of intensive shooting on the K-S2 versus more frequent recharging or battery swaps on the E-PL7, especially when using the LCD screen a lot.

Both cameras accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot, with no dual card backup options. It’s prudent to carry extra cards for extended trips.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras feature built-in Wi-Fi allowing wireless image transfer and remote shooting via smartphone apps.

However, the Pentax K-S2 offers NFC support for easy pairing, absent in the E-PL7. Neither supports Bluetooth or GPS natively, though Pentax users can add GPS via an optional module.

The K-S2 includes a built-in flash with versatile modes and hotshoe for external strobes. The E-PL7 has no built-in flash but supports external flashes via hotshoe adapters.

Overall Performance and Ratings

Let’s take a look at the combined scores and specialized genre performance.

According to DxOmark benchmarks, the Olympus E-PL7 achieves a respectable 72 overall score, with particularly strong color depth (22.7 bits) and dynamic range (12.4 EV).

The Pentax K-S2 hasn’t been fully tested by DxOmark but its APS-C sensor specs and real-world output suggest superior image quality and noise handling.

Reviewing genre strengths:

• Portraits: Olympus edges slightly due to face detection and bokeh on smaller lenses.
• Landscapes: Pentax dominates through sensor size and weather sealing.
• Wildlife & Sports: Pentax again leads for autofocus and burst speed.
• Street & Travel: Olympus takes the prize for portability and quiet operation.
• Macro & Night/Astro: Pentax’s articulating screen and higher ISO rank best.
• Video: Pentax’s microphone input gives it a niche advantage.

Sample Images: Seeing Is Believing

Here’s a curated gallery of sample frames captured with both cameras under comparable conditions.

Olympus E PL7 front Olympus E PL7 screen back Pentax K S2 front Pentax K S2 screen back

Notice the K-S2’s enhanced detail resolution and dynamic range in landscape shots and portrait nuances. In the urban night scenes, both cameras produce usable files, but the K-S2 maintains cleaner shadows.

Practical Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Olympus E-PL7 if you:

• Prioritize pocketability and lightweight gear for travel, street, or casual photography.
• Value a responsive touchscreen and easy selfie-friendly tilting screen.
• Shoot mostly in good light and want a fun, approachable mirrorless system.
• Prefer the Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem with compact primes and zooms.
• Do not require weather sealing or optical viewfinder.

Choose the Pentax K-S2 if you:

• Need superior image quality with an APS-C sensor for landscapes, portraits, and low light.
• Desire a rugged, weather-sealed body for outdoor adventure photography.
• Shoot wildlife or sports with faster, phase-detection autofocus and viewfinder tracking.
• Want an articulating screen and microphone input for creative video shoots.
• Prefer classic DSLR handling with comprehensive lens compatibility.

Final Thoughts

Having extensively tested both cameras over weeks in diverse shooting scenarios, I can confidently say both are compelling options in 2024 budget and enthusiast categories - but tailored toward different photography styles.

The Olympus E-PL7 is a joy for those valuing portability, intuitive touch controls, and everyday creative freedom. In contrast, the Pentax K-S2 caters well to users needing stronger image quality, better build ruggedness, and versatile autofocus for demanding photo applications.

Whichever you choose, you’ll be joining an ecosystem packed with mature lenses and accessories. The key is aligning your choice with your shooting priorities and style.

I hope this detailed comparison has clarified which camera best fits your photography aspirations. Remember, hands-on trial remains invaluable, so if possible, visit a local store or rental service before committing.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: I am an independent reviewer with no affiliations to Olympus or Pentax. All testing was conducted personally with retail units using standardized techniques for accurate comparison.