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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
70
Imaging
42
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Boost to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Released October 2005
  • Alternative Name is EVOLT E-500
  • Replacement is Olympus E-510
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Old Model is Pentax K-1
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and K-1 II (Full frame) feature different sensor measurements.

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The E-500 was announced 13 years prior to the K-1 II which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-500 grades versus the K-1 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Pentax K-1 II

 E-500 K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Olympus E-500

 K-1 II E-500 
ReleasedFebruary 2018October 2005More modern by 150 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1037k215kSharper screen (+822k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-1 II

 E-500 K-1 II 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-500 has outside dimensions of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the E-500 vs the K-1 II.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-500 and K-1 II is 70 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes only by looking at technical specs. The picture here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-500 and K-1 II.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-500 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-1 II will give more detail with its extra 28MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged E-500 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-500 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography info
49
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no liveview
low MP (8 megapixels)
86
manual focus
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Street photography highlights
57
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (479 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
70
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
very good high ISO (819,200)
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography highlights
37
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (8MP)
77
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (4.4 frames/s)
bad battery power (670 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography highlights
52
lighter than competition (479 grams)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
low MP (8MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
53
environment proofing
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
bad battery power (670 per charge)
more heavy than competition (1,010 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography advice
43
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5")
no liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (8 megapixels)
low maximum ISO (400)
missing Timelapse function
82
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery power (670 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 Vlogging information
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging information
9
no video
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-1 II
 Olympus E-500Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-500 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Also referred to as EVOLT E-500 -
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2005-10-21 2018-02-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - PRIME IV
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 3264 x 2448 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 400 819200
Highest boosted ISO 1600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF4
Number of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 215k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 479 gr (1.06 lb) 1010 gr (2.23 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 670 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots One 2
Launch price $600 $1,737