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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-3 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
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-3 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus E-PM2 versus Pentax K-3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The E-PM2 was introduced 10 months earlier than the K-3 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-PM2 grades versus the K-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Pentax K-3

 E-PM2 K-3 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-PM2

 K-3 E-PM2 
RevealedApril 2014May 2013More modern by 10 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-3

 E-PM2 K-3 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM2 features exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PM2 versus Pentax K-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PM2 compared to the K-3.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and K-3 is 89 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching a spec sheet. The picture below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and K-3.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PM2 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-3 will render extra detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged E-PM2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography details
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
79
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM2
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
no phase detect AF
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (560 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography details
Pentax K-3 Travel photography details
66
offers touch to focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
60
weather proofing
good resolution (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery power (560 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM2
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
74
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
not so great battery power (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-3
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Pentax K-3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2013-05-21 2014-04-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269g (0.59 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 80
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 13.4
DXO Low light rating 932 1216
Other
Battery life 360 photos 560 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Dual
Pricing at launch $448 $639