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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Launched May 2012
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is very comparable but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) posses different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM2 was revealed 12 months after the K-01 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-PM2 grades vs the K-01 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Pentax K-01

 E-PM2 K-01 
LaunchedMay 2013May 2012More modern by 12 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Olympus E-PM2

 K-01 E-PM2 
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-01

 E-PM2 K-01 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 comes with outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-01 has measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PM2 vs the K-01.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and K-01 is 89 and 76 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The picture below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM2 and K-01.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same MP but different sensor sizes. The E-PM2 has the smaller sensor which will make obtaining bokeh more challenging. The newer E-PM2 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography features
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
74
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography info
Pentax K-01 Street photography info
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
more heavy than others (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography information
Pentax K-01 Sports photography information
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
no phase detect autofocus
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery (540 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography info
Pentax K-01 Travel photography info
66
comes with focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
no Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
65
good battery (540 per charge)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
more heavy than others (561g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography advice
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
no Timelapse mode
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (540 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-01 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone port
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
more heavy than others (561g)
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-01
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Pentax K-01
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Pentax K-01
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-05-21 2012-05-30
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 81
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lb) 561 gr (1.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 12.9
DXO Low light score 932 1135
Other
Battery life 360 photos 540 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $448 $899