Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-50
70 Imaging
41 Features
34 Overall
38
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63 Imaging
58 Features
65 Overall
60
Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed October 2005
- Also Known as EVOLT E-500
- Newer Model is Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Introduced November 2013
- Replaced the Pentax K-30
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-50 Overview
In this write-up, we are looking at the Olympus E-500 versus Pentax K-50, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.
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The E-500 was launched 9 years prior to the K-50 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-500 grades versus the K-50 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-50 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-50. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-500 Gallery and Pentax K-50 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Pentax K-50
E-500 | K-50 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Olympus E-500
K-50 | E-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | November 2013 | ![]() | October 2005 | Newer by 98 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 215k | Sharper display (+706k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-50
E-500 | K-50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch display |
Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-500 features exterior measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
See the Olympus E-500 versus Pentax K-50 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the E-500 vs the K-50.
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Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-500 and K-50 is 70 and 63 respectively.
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specifications. The pic underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-500 and K-50.
To sum up, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-500 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-50 will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged E-500 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications
Olympus E-500 | Pentax K-50 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus E-500 | Pentax K-50 |
Also called | EVOLT E-500 | - |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2005-10-21 | 2013-11-27 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | PRIME M |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 3264 x 2448 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 400 | 51600 |
Max boosted ISO | 1600 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
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 | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 215 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.45x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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 format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 479 gr (1.06 pounds) | 650 gr (1.43 pounds) |
Dimensions | 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 photographs |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | D-LI109 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $600 | $610 |