Pentax K-S2 vs Olympus E-M5 III

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Pentax K-S2 vs Olympus E-M5 III

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APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-S2 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-S2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-S2.
Compare Pentax K-S2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-S2 conclusion.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M5 III Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M5 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M5 III.
Compare Olympus E-M5 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M5 III conclusion.

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

410 vs 310 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Pentax K-S2

Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
49 mm vs 64 mm
Thinner
Newer
5 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
346k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
30.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
23 vs 9 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/6000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Adorama
Read K-S2 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-S2

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Body Only (White)
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Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black/Orange)
Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (White)

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Buy the Olympus E-M5 III

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Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 14-150mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 14-150mm Lens (Silver)

All E-M5 III Deals

Review Excerpt

Very compact for a weather-sealed DSLR; Good ergonomics and great viewfinder; Excellent image quality; Decent performance for its class; Articulated screen is great for difficult compositions; Offers features not found in other Pentax DSLRs
18-50mm kit lens is fiddly and prone to jamming when retracted; Wi-Fi is slow and unintuitive; Slow startup; Limited movie mode; Poor battery life for a DSLR; Priced too close to its enthusiast-grade sibling
Read our Pentax K-S2 Review

Improved image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance for a modern MFT sensor; Very fast AF; Excellent image stabilization; 4K video recording; Weather-sealed build quality.
Below average battery life; Small size can be awkward with long, heavy lenses; One SD card slot.
Read our Olympus E-M5 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-500

Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-500

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-500

Olympus E-M5 III

Pentax K-500

$924
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-500

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-S2

Nikon D5300

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D5300

Olympus E-M5 III

Nikon D5300

$924
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-S1

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$502
APS-C

Higher-res screen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-S1

Olympus E-M5 III

Pentax K-S1

$924
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$502
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Panasonic G100

Pentax K-S2

Panasonic G100

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$599
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Panasonic G100

Olympus E-M5 III

Panasonic G100

$924
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$599
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic G100

Compared to Olympus E-M10 IV

Pentax K-S2

Olympus E-M10 IV

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$666
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Olympus E-M10 IV

Olympus E-M5 III

Olympus E-M10 IV

$924
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$666
4/3

Less expensive
Longer video battery life

Compare Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-M10 IV

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