Clicky

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Superseded the Pentax K-S1
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

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.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Pentax K-S2

 E-PM2 K-S2 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Olympus E-PM2

 K-S2 E-PM2 
ReleasedFebruary 2015May 2013More recent by 21 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-S2

 E-PM2 K-S2 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

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

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

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.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography highlights
71
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
78
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Street photography advice
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
supports focus by touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
72
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than average (678 grams)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography information
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography information
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.4 frames per second)
low battery (410 shots)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography factors
66
supports focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proof
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
low battery (410 CIPA)
heavier than average (678 grams)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography factors
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
low battery (410 shots)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Pentax K-S2
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
71
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic port
heavier than average (678 grams)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-S2
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Pentax K-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Pentax K-S2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-05-21 2015-02-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact 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 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s -
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 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lb) 678 gr (1.49 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photos 410 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $448 $581