• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax E50 advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 44 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    119g vs 469g
    Lighter weight

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Pentax E50

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    9 years vs 16 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 110k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent handling in a compact, weather-sealed body; Crisp, roomy electronic viewfinder; Image quality that can take the fight to APS-C DSLRs; Unique high-res mode lets it bat far above its weight for static scenes; Extremely fast 10 fps burst shooting, Excellent video feature set

  • Control dials are easily bumped; Below-average battery life at default settings; Buffer depths for raw shooters are a bit limited; 16-megapixel sensor resolution feels dated; Weak bundled flash strobe

The Competition

Compared to Samsung S860

Pentax E50
Samsung S860
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
Olympus E-M5 II
Samsung S860
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung S760

Pentax E50
Samsung S760
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
Olympus E-M5 II
Samsung S760
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony DSC-S780

Pentax E50
Sony DSC-S780
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
Olympus E-M5 II
Sony DSC-S780
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Pentax E50
Panasonic GX7
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax E50
Panasonic GX85
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Thinner
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
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