Pentax K20D vs Olympus E-M10 II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K20D vs Olympus E-M10 II

Leave Feedback

APS-C 368.2mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K20D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K20D.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10 II.
Compare Olympus E-M10 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-7
Compare K20D vs K-7

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M10 III
Compare E-M10 II vs E-M10 III

Compare PENTAX K-7 vs OLYMPUS E-M10 III

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K20D advantages over Olympus E-M10 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.05 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

530 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M10 II advantages over Pentax K20D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M10 II test data on DxO Mark K20D test data on DxO Mark

842 vs 639 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M10 II test data on DxO Mark K20D test data on DxO Mark

12.5 vs 11.1 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Thinner
46 mm vs 70 mm
Thinner
Newer
9 years vs 17 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1037k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.9 fps vs 2.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K20D User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K20D

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M10 II

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Brown)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm II R lens

All E-M10 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K20D Full Review

Excellent value for the money; Professional-grade ergonomics; Incredibly good image quality for its class; Solid performance specs across the board; Loaded with features.
Kit lens may not be quite as sharp as previous kit lens from this line; Below average battery life; Somewhat confusing menu systems.
Read our Olympus E-M10 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Pentax K20D

Samsung GX-20

$800
APS-C

Less expensive

$1400
APS-C

Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K20D vs Samsung GX-20

Olympus E-M10 II

Samsung GX-20

$349
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$1400
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A380

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony DSLR-A380

Olympus E-M10 II

Sony DSLR-A380

$349
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K20D

Pentax K-7

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Pentax K-7

Olympus E-M10 II

Pentax K-7

$349
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Pentax K20D

Olympus E-M10

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K20D vs Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10

$349
4/3

Fast startup
Shoots 24p video

$399
4/3

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Olympus E-M10

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax K20D

Panasonic GX85

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K20D vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10 II

Panasonic GX85

$349
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More telephoto lens reach

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic GX85

Compare Other Cameras?