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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
70
Imaging
42
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
72
Features
86
Overall
77

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Expand to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Announced October 2005
  • Alternate Name is EVOLT E-500
  • Successor is Olympus E-510
Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Released March 2021
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

The following is a in-depth comparison of the Olympus E-500 versus Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and K-3 III (26MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and K-3 III (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-500 was manufactured 16 years earlier than the K-3 III which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-500 matches up vs the K-3 III with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Pentax K-3 III

 E-500 K-3 III 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Olympus E-500

 K-3 III E-500 
ReleasedMarch 2021October 2005Newer by 188 months
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1620k215kClearer screen (+1405k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-3 III

 E-500 K-3 III 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-500 offers external 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-3 III has dimensions of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") along with a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-500 versus Pentax K-3 III in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-500 compared to the K-3 III.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-500 and K-3 III is 70 and 58 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-3 III top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions merely by looking at technical specs. The pic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-500 and K-3 III.

As you can tell, the two cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-500 due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-3 III will give more detail due to its extra 18MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-500 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-500 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography highlights
49
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
low MP (8MP)
83
has manual focus
megapixel count great (26 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-500
Street photography with Pentax K-3 III
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (479 grams)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
71
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
has touch to focus
weather proof
great ISO range (1,600,000)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Sports photography camera
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (8 megapixels)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count great (26 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery pack (800 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography details
Pentax K-3 III Travel photography details
52
lighter than competition in class (479 grams)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low MP (8 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
64
weather proof
supports bluetooth
has touch to focus
megapixel count great (26MP)
bad battery pack (800 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography advice
43
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low MP (8MP)
low maximum ISO (400)
does not have Time Lapse recording
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count great (26 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (1,600,000)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
bad battery pack (800 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 Vlogging features
Pentax K-3 III Vlogging features
9
no video
35
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-3 III
 Olympus E-500Pentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-500 Pentax K-3 Mark III
Also Known as EVOLT E-500 -
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2005-10-21 2021-03-31
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 26 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 3264 x 2448 6192 x 4128
Max native ISO 400 1600000
Max enhanced ISO 1600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 101
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 45 156
Crop factor 2.1 1.6
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 215k dots 1,620k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 479g (1.06 lb) 820g (1.81 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 800 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Card slots 1 2
Price at release $600 $1,999