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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II 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
  • Announced May 2013
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PM1
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-1
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Let's look much closer at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and K-1 II (Full frame) feature different sensor size.

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The E-PM2 was launched 5 years prior to the K-1 II and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-PM2 scores versus the K-1 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Pentax K-1 II

 E-PM2 K-1 II 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Olympus E-PM2

 K-1 II E-PM2 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018May 2013More recent by 57 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-1 II

 E-PM2 K-1 II 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM2 has exterior 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-1 II has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PM2 vs the K-1 II.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and K-1 II is 89 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements only by checking technical specs. The visual below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and K-1 II.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PM2 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-1 II will give you greater detail utilizing its extra 20 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older E-PM2 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography details
71
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
86
manual focus
megapixel count fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Pentax K-1 II
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
features touch to focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
70
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
great ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than competitors (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM2
Sports photography with Pentax K-1 II
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect autofocus
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames/s)
terrible battery power (670 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Travel photography camera
66
features touch to focus
good MP (16MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly display
53
environment sealing
megapixel count fantastic (36 megapixels)
terrible battery power (670 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors (1,010 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography highlights
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of Timelapse recording
82
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (819,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
terrible battery power (670 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging features
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging features
36
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone socket
32
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-1 II
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2013-05-21 2018-02-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 25600 819200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF4
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lbs) 1010 gr (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photos 670 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots 1 Dual
Retail pricing $448 $1,737