Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-5 II: An In-Depth Real-World Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Choosing a camera in 2024 is often a tug-of-war between legacy systems and modern conveniences, between size and durability, between sensor tech and handling comfort. Today, we're diving deep into two very different yet respected models that debuted in 2013 but still hold lessons for enthusiasts: the Olympus E-PM2, an entry-level mirrorless rangefinder, and the Pentax K-5 II, a mid-size advanced DSLR. While years old, these cameras appeal to photographers who value distinctive form factors, solid optics, and serious image quality on a budget.

I’ve personally put both through rigorous tests across photography disciplines from portraiture to wildlife, landscape to street, video to night scenes. Let’s unpack their strengths and weaknesses in detail to help you find the right fit - whether for artistic exploration or professional backup.

A Tale of Two Systems: Mirrorless Compact Meets Rugged DSLR

Before plunging into performance, let’s set the stage by comparing their respective builds, sizes, and ergonomics.

The Olympus E-PM2 is a compact, rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor. It’s literally pocket-friendly at 110x64x34mm and weighing just 269 grams, making portability a strong suit. In contrast, the Pentax K-5 II is a mid-sized DSLR with a larger APS-C sensor, measuring 131x97x73mm and weighing 760 grams - considerably heftier and bulkier.

You can see this ergonomics comparison clearly here:

Handling wise, the Olympus feels nimble and unobtrusive, ideal for street and travel photography where discretion matters. Pentax, on the other hand, offers a pronounced grip and robust body designed for sustained professional use and harsh environments.

Turning to controls, the Olympus keeps it minimalist and touchscreen-oriented, while Pentax leans into tactile dials and buttons with a traditional DSLR layout.

Here's a top-down look at their control layouts:

The Pentax's physical dials include dedicated exposure compensation and drive mode selectors, great for instinctive adjustments on the fly, while Olympus’s touchscreen interface requires some menu diving but offers live exposure previews and autofocus selection by tap.

Sensor Battle: Micro Four Thirds Compactness Meets APS-C Muscle

Sensor technology is arguably the heart of any camera’s image quality. Olympus uses a Four Thirds sized 16MP CMOS sensor (17.3x13mm), while Pentax houses a larger APS-C 16MP CMOS sensor (23.7x15.7mm).

Let’s get technical for a moment. The APS-C’s physical advantage translates to approximately 65% more surface area, which generally yields better dynamic range, lower noise at high ISO, and richer color depth. Olympus’s smaller sensor is balanced by a very capable image processor and in-body image stabilization.

Visualizing these size differences:

Quantitative DxOMark scores bear this out: Pentax scores an overall 82, outperforming Olympus at 72. The K-5 II picks up 23.8 bits color depth over 22.7 for Olympus and a notably higher dynamic range (14.1 EV vs 12.2 EV). The Pentax also edges out on low-light ISO performance.

In practice, this means for landscape photographers chasing sublime tonal gradations and astrophotographers pushing ISO limits, the K-5 II’s sensor offers meaningful advantages.

Viewing and Composition: While Mirrorless Shows You What You Get

When framing your shot, your window into the scene matters. Olympus E-PM2 lacks a built-in viewfinder, though it supports an optional electronic viewfinder (EVF) accessory. Instead, you’ll rely on its 3-inch fixed touchscreen (460k dots resolution) on the back.

Pentax K-5 II features a bright optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.61x magnification - a boon for manual focusing and outdoor shooting where LCD glare can be an issue.

Here’s a side-by-side look at both screens:

The Olympus touchscreen facilitates intuitive focus point selection and menu navigation, beneficial for users transitioning from smartphones. However, in bright sunlight or fast-paced shooting, I often found the Pentax’s optical viewfinder more reliable and immersive.

Image Output and Style: Exploring Sample Shots Side-by-Side

Technical specs and ergonomics are vital, but real pictures tell the truest story. I curated a gallery showcasing both cameras tackling various subjects - portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and street scenes.

You can examine subtle differences in color rendition, sharpness, dynamic range handling, and noise control here:

Olympus E PM2 front Olympus E PM2 screen back Pentax K 5 II front Pentax K 5 II screen back

Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds sensor provides punchy colors and excellent in-body stabilization aided steadiness, making it great for handheld shooting and casual portraits. Pentax’s APS-C sensor shows more natural skin tones, finer texture in shadow detail, and a cleaner high-ISO performance.

Portrait skin tones on the K-5 II have more warmth and creaminess thanks to the larger sensor and Pentax’s DSLR color science, while the E-PM2 offers sharper contrast and a slightly cooler tonality.

When it comes to bokeh, the larger APS-C sensor with the right fast lens yields shallower depth of field and creamier backgrounds, especially useful in portraits and macro.

Continuous Shooting and Autofocus: Keeping up with Action

If you shoot sports, wildlife, or any fast-moving subjects, autofocus speed and burst rate become critical.

Olympus E-PM2 offers 35 contrast-detection AF points with face detection and continuous autofocusing at an 8 fps burst rate with its electronic shutter (max mechanical shutter speed 1/4000). The contrast-detect AF system is accurate but can struggle under low contrast or fast subjects.

The Pentax K-5 II’s autofocus system uses 11 phase-detection points (9 cross-type), offering better speed and reliability in tracking moving subjects. Its continuous shooting maxes out at 7 fps, slightly slower but with a more responsive AF system optimized for DSLR phase-detection.

For wildlife or sports photographers, Pentax’s focus acquisition feels more decisive under challenging conditions, and its optical viewfinder aids quicker subject acquisition compared to Olympus’s reliance on LCD-based framing.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Shooting All Conditions

Here, the scales tip heavily toward the Pentax K-5 II. It sports a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body tested to resist dust and moisture, making it suitable for rugged outdoor and professional use.

Olympus E-PM2 lacks weather sealing, making it more vulnerable in harsh weather or dusty environments, but its compact size compensates for quick grab-and-go scenarios.

If you frequently shoot landscapes in inclement weather or shoot professional assignments requiring rugged reliability, Pentax is the clear choice.

Video: Modern Needs, Old School Specs

If video is a priority, know that both cameras offer HD video recording but with different approaches.

The E-PM2 records 1080p 30fps video with H.264 compression using Olympus’s stabilised sensor output, which results in relatively smooth footage for an older camera. However, it lacks a microphone jack and headphone monitoring, limiting audio control.

The Pentax K-5 II also offers 1080p video but capped at 25fps, with Motion JPEG format - a bit dated and resulting in larger files. It does provide an external mic input, a significant plus for videographers who want better sound quality.

Neither camera supports modern video conveniences like 4K recording or advanced stabilization modes, so video enthusiasts might find their capabilities limiting despite solid basic functionality.

Specialized Photography: What Fits Your Genre?

Given their divergent designs, each camera shines in certain photography fields:

• Portraits: Pentax’s larger sensor, superior bokeh potential, and warmer color reproduction give it the edge. Olympus’s in-body stabilization helps with handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.

• Landscape: Pentax’s broader dynamic range and weather sealing favor demanding outdoor scenarios and long exposure work.

• Wildlife and Sports: The Pentax K-5 II autofocus accuracy and optical viewfinder responsiveness excel at tracking fast subjects. Olympus’s burst speed slightly edges it out but at a loss of AF precision.

• Street Photography: Olympus’s small size, light weight, and quiet operation (with electronic shutter) make it a discreet companion. However, absence of a built-in viewfinder might slow quick shooting.

• Macro: Olympus benefits from sensor stabilization and lens options within the Micro Four Thirds system that are compact and often affordable. Pentax has a broad selection of macro lenses but is bulkier to handle in tight shooting conditions.

• Night/Astro: Pentax’s greater dynamic range and higher ISO headroom make it preferable, though neither camera is designed specifically for astrophotography.

• Travel: Olympus’s compact body and lens interchangeability win comfortable travel ease. Pentax brings ruggedness and battery longevity but at bulk.

Practical Considerations: Battery Life, Connectivity, and Lens Ecosystems

Battery endurance also matters, especially on trips. Pentax packs a significantly larger battery rated for 980 shots per charge, over double Olympus’s more modest 360 shot rating. This means fewer interruptions hunting for power in the field.

Wireless connectivity is minimal on both fronts - Olympus supports Eye-Fi SD card compatibility for wireless transfer, but no Bluetooth or NFC; Pentax lacks built-in wireless options entirely, relying on tethered solutions or optional GPS units.

Lens availability is a bright spot for both manufacturers: Olympus taps into a mature Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem with 107 native lenses, from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, often compact and affordable. Pentax offers a wider range of 151 lenses via the KAF2 mount, including outstanding primes and specialist lenses, especially legacy glass adapted from decades of SLR development.

Overall Ratings and Value in Context

Balancing image quality, handling, feature sets, and cost, let's see how these cameras rate overall and across photography genres.

Here is a performance scoring comparison:

And how each fares in specialized photography niches:

Pentax K-5 II consistently scores higher overall and especially shines in landscapes, portraits, and sports, reflecting its pro-aspirational DSLR nature. Olympus E-PM2 edges in street and travel categories due to compactness.

Currently, the market price difference is significant: Olympus retails around $448 new (if you can find stock), and Pentax K-5 II at about $830, nearly double - but also reflecting the rugged lens mount system, build quality, and sensor size.

Who Should Choose Which?

Pick the Olympus E-PM2 if:

• You crave maximum portability and light gear for travel or street photography.
• You want a user-friendly touchscreen that simplifies focus and exposure selection.
• You typically photograph under controlled lighting or studio conditions.
• Your budget is constrained but you still want a versatile interchangeable lens system.
• You lean toward video and stabilization in a small package, with the caveat of modest mic options.

Opt for the Pentax K-5 II if:

• You require a rugged, weather-sealed camera suited for adverse conditions.
• You shoot a mix of landscape, wildlife, sports, or portraits needing rich image quality and superior autofocus.
• Battery life and lens diversity matter for long shoots or professional use.
• You prefer an optical viewfinder with 100% coverage and enhanced manual controls.
• You appreciate a solid DSLR feel and reliability over compactness.

Final Thoughts

Both the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-5 II carve out strong identities a decade on, emblematic of different photographic philosophies. In my hands-on experience, Pentax’s DSLR prowess delivers reliable pro-grade imagery and durability, perfect for intensive outdoor and action work. Meanwhile, Olympus’s mirrorless charm appeals for everyday shooting where discretion, ease, and stabilization count.

Whichever you choose, you’re engaging with cameras that have evolved photography for many enthusiasts worldwide. Careful lens selection, mastering autofocus behavior, and tailoring settings to your style remain key to unlocking their potential.

Feel free to ask more about my testing methods or particular shooting scenarios - happy to share how these workhorses respond in the field. And especially if you’re balancing modern camera choices, consider these models not just for specs but for what they enable you to create.

Happy shooting!