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Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
86
Imaging
53
Features
81
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL7 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Introduced September 2014
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL6
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL8
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-S1
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Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PL7 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PL7 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL7 was launched 5 months prior to the K-S2 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-PL7 scores against the K-S2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL7 over the Pentax K-S2

 E-PL7 K-S2 
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Olympus E-PL7

 K-S2 E-PL7 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Common features in the Olympus E-PL7 and Pentax K-S2

 E-PL7 K-S2 
IntroducedSeptember 2014February 2015Same generation
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL7 has physical measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") having a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL7 versus the K-S2.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL7 and K-S2 is 86 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements only by checking out specifications. The photograph underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL7 and K-S2.

To sum up, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL7 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-S2 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography advice
71
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
78
focusing manually
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
features focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
72
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL7
Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
lack of phase detect auto focus
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (5.4 fps)
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography highlights
85
features focus via touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
65
weather proofing
good resolution (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
more heavy than competition (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography factors
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
78
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
no mic socket
71
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (678g)
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Olympus E-PL7 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL7 and Pentax K-S2
 Olympus PEN E-PL7Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL7 Pentax K-S2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2014-09-01 2015-02-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 357 grams (0.79 lbs) 678 grams (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 873 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 410 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-50 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $499 $581