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Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Olympus E-300 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Olympus E-300
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Boost to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
  • Revealed January 2005
  • Additionally Known as EVOLT E-300
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-330
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-30
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Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the E-300 (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The E-300 was launched 10 years before the K-50 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-300 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the E-300 scores vs the K-50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Pentax K-50

 E-300 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Olympus E-300

 K-50 E-300 
ReleasedNovember 2013January 2005More modern by 108 months
Screen sizing3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution921k134kClearer screen (+787k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Pentax K-50

 E-300 K-50 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-300 comes with external dimensions of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") along with a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-50 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the E-300 against the K-50.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-300 and K-50 is 67 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes purely by researching specifications. The picture below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-300 and K-50.

Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-300 because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-50 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged E-300 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-300
Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
48
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low resolution (8 megapixels)
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-300 Street photography features
Pentax K-50 Street photography features
51
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
maximum ISO low (400)
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,600)
no moving screen
more heavy than competitors in class (650g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
37
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (8MP)
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Travel photography camera
45
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution (8 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
56
weather proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors in class (650 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-300 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography info
43
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (1.8")
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (8 megapixels)
maximum ISO low (400)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-300 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-50 Vlogging factors
9
no video
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (650 grams)
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Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-300 and Pentax K-50
 Olympus E-300Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-300 Pentax K-50
Alternate name EVOLT E-300 -
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2005-01-10 2013-11-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 3264 x 2448 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 400 51600
Max enhanced ISO 1600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 1.8 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 134k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 624 grams (1.38 pounds) 650 grams (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 85 x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1120
Other
Battery life - 410 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $800 $610