Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-S2

Following is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax K-S2, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is very similar but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL8 was brought out 20 months after the K-S2 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-PL8 scores vs the K-S2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL8 and Pentax K-S2. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL8 Gallery and Pentax K-S2 Gallery.

If you are going to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL8 features outside dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") with 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") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax K-S2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL8 vs the K-S2.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL8 and K-S2 is 86 and 64 respectively.

More often than not, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading specifications. The picture here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL8 and K-S2.

To sum up, each of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL8 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-S2 will offer you greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The fresher E-PL8 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.