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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Pentax K100D Super front
Portability
65
Imaging
45
Features
38
Overall
42

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S 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
  • Revealed May 2013
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
Pentax K100D S
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 129 x 91 x 71mm
  • Launched June 2007
  • Replaced the Pentax K100D
  • Replacement is Pentax K200D
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and K100D S (6MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and K100D S (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM2 was announced 5 years later than the K100D S and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K100D S being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-PM2 grades vs the K100D S when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Pentax K100D S

 E-PM2 K100D S 
LaunchedMay 2013June 2007Fresher by 72 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kClearer display (+250k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D S over the Olympus E-PM2

 K100D S E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K100D S

 E-PM2 K100D S 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM2 enjoys external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Pentax K100D S has sizing of 129mm x 91mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM2 and the K100D S.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and K100D S is 89 and 65 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to see the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM2 and K100D S.

Clearly, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Olympus E-PM2 will deliver greater detail with its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more modern E-PM2 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
Portrait photography with Pentax K100D S
71
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K100D S as a Street photography camera
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch to focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM2
Sports photography with Pentax K100D S
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
does not have phase detect autofocus
47
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography info
Pentax K100D S Travel photography info
66
supports touch to focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
45
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (6MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM2
Landscape photography with Pentax K100D S
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
missing Timelapse recording
52
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low megapixels (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging features
Pentax K100D S Vlogging features
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
9
no video recording
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K100D S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K100D S
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Pentax K100D Super
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Pentax K100D Super
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-05-21 2007-06-28
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.5"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269g (0.59 lb) 646g (1.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 129 x 91 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8")
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 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $448 $520