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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax WG-2 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
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Released February 2012
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Olympus E-PM2 versus Pentax WG-2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Waterproof by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is fairly close but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and WG-2 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM2 was introduced 16 months later than the WG-2 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax WG-2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-PM2 matches up versus the WG-2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Pentax WG-2

 E-PM2 WG-2 
ReleasedMay 2013February 2012Fresher by 16 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Olympus E-PM2

 WG-2 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax WG-2

 E-PM2 WG-2 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM2 has exterior dimensions 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 WG-2 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PM2 versus Pentax WG-2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the E-PM2 versus the WG-2.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and WG-2 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing specs. The visual underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM2 and WG-2.

As you can plainly see, both cameras offer the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The E-PM2 features the larger sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult. The more modern E-PM2 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography factors
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
40
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Street photography camera
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
includes focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
54
environment proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Sports photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
38
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography advice
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography advice
66
includes focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
no Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
70
environment proof
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography highlights
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
no Time Lapse function
47
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
decent MP (16MP)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Pentax WG-2
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
30
rather wide (28mm)
comes with face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
no mic support
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax WG-2
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Pentax Optio WG-2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Introduced 2013-05-21 2012-02-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection 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
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 5.40 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
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lbs) 192 grams (0.42 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 photographs 260 photographs
Form of battery 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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $448 $350