Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax S1
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56


93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs
(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
- Announced May 2013
- Older Model is Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Introduced March 2011

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax S1 Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax S1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and S1 (1/2.3") posses different sensor size.

The E-PM2 was released 2 years after the S1 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.
Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-PM2 matches up against the S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax S1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PM2 & Pentax Optio S1. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery & Pentax S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Pentax S1
E-PM2 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | May 2013 | ![]() | March 2011 | Newer by 28 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Olympus E-PM2
S1 | E-PM2 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax S1
E-PM2 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM2 enjoys external 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 S1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-PM2 against the S1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and S1 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by looking at specifications. The picture underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and S1.
To sum up, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-PM2 will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher E-PM2 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax S1 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Pentax Optio S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Pentax Optio S1 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2013-05-21 | 2011-03-02 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing range | - | 1cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 4s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250s | - |
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) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 269 gr (0.59 lb) | 157 gr (0.35 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 72 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.7 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.2 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 932 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 photos | 260 photos |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $448 | $174 |