Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2

On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PM2 versus Pentax K-S2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The E-PM2 was introduced 21 months prior to the K-S2 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-PM2 matches up vs the K-S2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PM2 & Pentax K-S2. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery & Pentax K-S2 Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM2 comes with outer dimensions 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-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PM2 versus Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PM2 and the K-S2.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and K-S2 is 89 and 64 respectively.

Quite often, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by seeing specs. The photograph underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM2 and K-S2.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PM2 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-S2 will produce greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older E-PM2 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.