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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-S2
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-S1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and K-S1 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM2 was launched 15 months earlier than the K-S1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-PM2 matches up versus the K-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Pentax K-S1

 E-PM2 K-S1 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 K-S1 E-PM2 
LaunchedAugust 2014May 2013More modern by 15 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-S1

 E-PM2 K-S1 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 has outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the E-PM2 compared to the K-S1.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and K-S1 is 89 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through specs. The pic here may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and K-S1.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PM2 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-S1 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged E-PM2 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
77
has manual focus
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Street photography factors
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (558g)
very good ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography highlights
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect autofocus
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames per second)
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
66
boasts focus via touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than others in class (558g)
good MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography highlights
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (558g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic port
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-S1
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Pentax K-S1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-05-21 2014-08-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269g (0.59 lbs) 558g (1.23 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 78
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 13.0
DXO Low light score 932 1061
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 410 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $448 $339