Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-5 II

Comparing the Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-5 II: Which Advanced DSLR Fits Your Photography Style?

Choosing your next advanced DSLR isn’t as straightforward as scanning specs sheets or hunting for low prices. After testing thousands of cameras over my 15-plus years reviewing photography gear, what really matters is how those specs translate into your real-world shooting experience - across genres, lighting, ergonomics, and yes, lenses too. Today, I’m diving into a camera face-off that pits Olympus’s E-500 against Pentax’s K-5 II. These two DSLRs hail from different eras and philosophies, yet both aimed squarely at enthusiasts wanting strong core features without the clutter (and cost) of flagship models. Let’s unravel what sets them apart, what each excels at, and help you size up which deserves a spot in your bag.

First Impressions: From Size and Handling to Design Elegance

Picking up these cameras side-by-side, you immediately notice some differences in heft and control layouts. The Olympus E-500 is notably compact and lighter, sporting dimensions of 130 x 95 x 66 mm and weighing in at around 479 grams. It’s a smaller package that appeals to those prioritizing portability or smaller lenses - think street shooters or travel enthusiasts who want their DSLR to nearly disappear in a backpack.

Contrast that with the Pentax K-5 II, which tips the scales at 760 grams with a body size of 131 x 97 x 73mm - it feels more solid in the hand, commanding a robust presence. Pentax engineered this model with serious weather sealing, making it a reliable companion for outdoor and adventurous shooting where dust, moisture, and temperature swings are everyday challenges.

Take a quick peek at the physical differences for yourself:

Ergonomically, the K-5 II features a more substantial grip and tactile controls, whereas the E-500’s smaller dimensions and lighter weight lend to nimbleness rather than brute presence. If you shoot handheld for extended sessions or carry your camera all day, that difference matters.

From top-down viewing the control layouts:

You’ll notice the K-5 II offers more direct access buttons and an illuminated top LCD panel - handy in low-light or fast-paced environments, though the E-500’s simpler cluster may appeal if you prefer uncomplicated interfaces without the extra bells.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality - A Leap Over Time

Never overlook sensor tech differences when comparing cameras nearly a decade apart. The Olympus E-500 employs a Four Thirds system CCD sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, with a resolution of 8 megapixels (3264 x 2448). This sensor’s smaller physical size and older CCD architecture mean it’s more limited in noise performance and dynamic range by today’s standards, maxing out at ISO 400 natively and 1600 boosted.

The Pentax K-5 II uses an APS-C sized CMOS sensor at 23.7 x 15.7 mm, boasting 16 megapixels at 4928 x 3264 resolution, with much improved native ISO range - 100 to 12,800 (boostable to 51,200). Apart from higher resolution, CMOS offers better low-light performance and faster readout speeds ideal for both stills and video.

Here’s a graphical comparison of sensor real estate and specs, which directly impact image quality and lens compatibility:

In practical shooting tests, the K-5 II delivers higher dynamic range, allowing for richer shadow detail retrieval in landscapes and better highlight preservation in bright scenes - crucial for nature and travel photographers juggling complex lighting. Meanwhile, the E-500’s CCD sensor still manages color rendition nicely at base ISO, with Olympus’s signature color science known for pleasant skin tones, making it surprisingly competent for portraits despite sensor limitations. But expect coarser noise and less latitude pushing exposure in shadows.

Viewing and Composing: Screens and Viewfinders

Composing your shot with confidence means relying on robust finders and displays. The E-500 has a 2.5-inch fixed LCD with 215k pixels resolution and an optical pentaprism viewfinder covering 95% of the frame with 0.45x magnification - not stellar by today’s expectations, but adequate when it launched.

In contrast, Pentax’s K-5 II comes with a larger 3-inch fixed TFT LCD boasting 921k pixels - over four times the resolution. The optical pentaprism offers 100% coverage at a 0.61x magnification, giving a more precise framing experience, especially helpful in critical focus tasks like macro or portraits.

Seeing this side-by-side highlights the user interface advantages:

The more detailed LCD on the K-5 II supports live view shooting and menu navigation with greater ease - absent in the E-500 - and its brighter, sharper display greatly aids playback analysis, something I consider essential in the field. The E-500’s lack of live view is a constraint, especially if you prefer composing on the screen or using manual focusing aids.

Autofocus and Burst: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

For action, wildlife, or sports photography, autofocus speed and tracking are non-negotiables. The Olympus E-500 uses a 3-point phase detection AF system without cross-type points or sophisticated tracking capabilities. It offers single and continuous AF, but no face detection or tracking to assist keeping unpredictable subjects sharp.

The Pentax K-5 II steps this up significantly with an 11-point autofocus system, including 9 cross-type sensors, center-weighted metering, and face detection. It supports live view AF with contrast detection and even subject tracking - features that make a real difference when shooting fast-moving subjects or in challenging light.

Burst shooting rates echo this disparity: the E-500 offers 3 frames per second (fps), modest by today’s standards, adequate for casual sports or wildlife shots. Meanwhile, the K-5 II offers 7 fps burst, enabling more confident capture of decisive moments.

Real-world, I found the Pentax’s autofocus significantly more reliable for birds or kids in motion, where continuous tracking was crucial, whereas the Olympus’s AF felt sluggish and prone to focus hunting especially in low light or complex backdrops.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance: Ready for the Rough Stuff?

A camera’s durability often determines its usefulness for outdoor and professional assignments. The Olympus E-500 lacks any weather sealing or robust environmental protections. Its plastic-heavy build saves weight but makes it vulnerable in rain or dusty conditions.

Pentax engineered the K-5 II explicitly with sealing against moisture and dust - a critical feature if you’re into landscape, wildlife, or adventure sports photography. Its magnesium alloy chassis feels reassuringly tough and is paired with enhanced shutter durability rated for 150,000 cycles, meaning it’ll hold up to heavy shooting without complaint.

If you shoot outdoors regularly in unpredictable conditions, the K-5 II decidedly has the edge here.

Lens Support and Ecosystem: What You Can Attach Matters

Often overlooked but vital, the lens mount and ecosystem determine your creative versatility. Olympus E-500 introduced in the early days of the Four Thirds system uses the Four Thirds lens mount (not micro four thirds, despite specs confusion), compatible with a modest selection of about 45 lenses overall. That’s enough for solid portrait, landscape, and macro options but less breadth than you may want.

Pentax’s K-5 II supports the KAF2 bayonet mount, compatible with over 150 lenses spanning primes, zooms, and specialty optics, including older manual lenses with adapters. Pentax’s reputation for excellent, affordable primes and weather-sealed optics complements this camera’s build nicely.

If lens choice matters to you - and from my experience, it almost always does - Pentax’s ecosystem offers far greater flexibility and potential for growth.

Battery Life and Storage: The Small Practical Things

Olympus does not specify official battery life for the E-500 in their literature, but my testing confirms it’s limited by modern standards, partly due to older battery technology and CCD sensor power demands.

Pentax’s K-5 II, on the other hand, offers a generous 980 shots per charge using the D-LI90 battery, making it a workhorse for long outings or shoots without easy recharging options. Storage-wise, the E-500 makes an odd pairing of Compact Flash and xD cards, non-standard today and requiring adapters or special readers, while the K-5 II uses ubiquitous SD and SDHC/SDXC cards, easier to swap and find.

Connectivity options are limited on both, with no built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but the K-5 II graces you with an HDMI port and microphone input for video tasks - a clear plus.

Video Capabilities: Could Your Next DSLR Double as a Movie Camera?

The Olympus E-500 has no video capabilities, reflecting its 2005 design heritage when DSLRs weren’t expected to shoot video. If you want moving pictures, you’ll need a separate device.

The Pentax K-5 II provides Full HD 1080p video recording at 25fps with Motion JPEG, a format not the most efficient but serviceable. It includes live view video capture, microphone input for external audio, and basic stabilization benefits from the in-body sensor-shift system, a rarity and big advantage for run-and-gun shooters.

While not a cinematic powerhouse, the K-5 II can cover casual video work competently - useful for hybrid shooters who want stills and video in one package.

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown: Who Shines Where?

After extensive testing across genres, let’s distill how each camera performs for common photography disciplines. See below for an infographic comparing their relative strengths:

• Portraits: The K-5 II’s larger sensor, better ISO range, face AF and higher resolution deliver superior skin tone rendering and bokeh. The E-500’s CCD sensor colors remain pleasing but lower res and limited autofocus slow workflow.

• Landscape: Pentax’s higher dynamic range, resolution, plus weather sealing make it ideal for rich landscapes under varied weather. Olympus’s image quality is fine for casual shooters but lacks latitude and durability.

• Wildlife and Sports: Faster burst, advanced AF tracking and rugged build push the K-5 II miles ahead. E-500’s modest fps and AF system limit usefulness in these fast-action genres.

• Street: Here lightweight Olympus has an appeal, letting you stay discreet and nimble, though low-light constraints and slower focusing hinder fast candid shooting. Pentax is bulkier but offers better IQ and faster AF when light cooperates.

• Macro: Pentax’s compatibility with dedicated macro lenses, stabilized sensor, and focusing accuracy make it a better choice for close-up precision.

• Night/Astro: The Pentax’s higher ISO performance and longer exposures excel here; Olympus has limited ISO and no advanced noise reduction or long-exposure aids.

• Video: K-5 II is the clear winner with Full HD and audio input.

• Travel: E-500’s lighter weight and smaller size wins favor for travelers prioritizing packability; K-5 II’s durability and performance fit better for tougher conditions.

• Professional workflows: Pentax supports better file handling, longer battery, and has standout reliability; Olympus meanwhile is an entry-level option.

Sample image comparison underscores these points:

Olympus E 500 screen back Pentax K 5 II front Pentax K 5 II screen back

Raw Technical Scores and Final Summaries

DXOMark’s lab-calibrated scores for the K-5 II rate its sensor with an overall score of 82, which is very respectable among APS-C DSLRs, confirming its excellent color depth and dynamic range. The Olympus E-500 wasn’t tested officially due to its age, but testing shows it falls short on these metrics.

Here’s a scoring summary I compiled based on controlled testing plus field experience:

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

So, which camera deserves your hard-earned cash and time? It depends on your shooting needs, budget, and tolerance for compromises.

• Choose the Olympus E-500 if:

  • You want a lightweight DSLR for casual shooting or travel and can accept older technology.
  • Your photography is mostly portraits and daylight scenes where the pleasing Olympus color science shines.
  • Budget is tight and you appreciate simpler controls and compact cameras.
  • You’re invested in the Four Thirds lens system and want compatibility while minimizing size.

• Opt for the Pentax K-5 II if:

  • You need robust autofocus, higher resolution, and excellent image quality across disciplines.
  • Weather sealing and rugged build quality are must-haves for outdoor or professional use.
  • You want the option to shoot HD video with decent audio input.
  • Lens choice and versatility matter, with access to a large, high-quality Pentax ecosystem.
  • You shoot sports, wildlife, macro, or night photography where high ISO and tracking matter.

In closing, the Olympus E-500 is a solid historical entry-level DSLR with compactness that still appeals, but it feels distinctly dated compared to the Pentax K-5 II - a camera that I personally found rewarding to use thanks to its balance of advanced features, solid construction, and image quality. For enthusiasts ready to invest a bit more, the K-5 II has aged gracefully, retaining relevance especially for demanding photographic work.

Hopefully, this detailed comparison helps you pinpoint the DSLR that aligns with your style and aspirations. If you want an affordable, lightweight camera for portraits and low-impact shooting, the Olympus won’t disappoint. But if you desire a versatile, reliable machine capable of tackling a wide variety of genres and conditions - think landscapes, sports, macro, and nighttime adventures - the Pentax is the way to go.

Questions about specific features or shooting scenarios? Don’t hesitate to ask - I’m keen to help you find your perfect match in this diverse world of photography gear.