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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PM2
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 Maximum 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-PM1 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Olympus E-PM1 versus Pentax K-S2, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM1 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the K-S2 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-PM1 matches up against the K-S2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K-S2

 E-PM1 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Olympus E-PM1

 K-S2 E-PM1 
IntroducedFebruary 2015November 2011Newer by 39 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-S2

 E-PM1 K-S2 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM1 has outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has sizing of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Pentax K-S2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the E-PM1 versus the K-S2.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and K-S2 is 89 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The image below may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and K-S2.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-S2 will offer you extra detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged E-PM1 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography details
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
78
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Street photography advice
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
72
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than average in class (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography features
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography features
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
slow fps (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
no phase detect AF
70
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Travel photography camera
45
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery (410 shots)
more heavy than average in class (678 grams)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography advice
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging information
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging information
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
71
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone support
more heavy than average in class (678 grams)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-S2
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pentax K-S2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2011-11-23 2015-02-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI 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 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 265 gr (0.58 pounds) 678 gr (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 410 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $499 $581