Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-7
70 Imaging
41 Features
34 Overall
38


60 Imaging
54 Features
69 Overall
60
Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 400 (Increase to 1600)
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
- Revealed October 2005
- Also Known as EVOLT E-500
- New Model is Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 2000 (Increase to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Announced October 2009
- Successor is Pentax K-5

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-7 Overview
Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-500 versus Pentax K-7, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and K-7 (15MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and K-7 (APS-C) provide different sensor dimensions.

The E-500 was announced 5 years earlier than the K-7 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-500 matches up versus the K-7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-7 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-7. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-500 Gallery and Pentax K-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Pentax K-7
E-500 | K-7 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Olympus E-500
K-7 | E-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | October 2009 | ![]() | October 2005 | More recent by 48 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 215k | Clearer screen (+706k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-7
E-500 | K-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-500 provides physical dimensions of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-7 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).
See the Olympus E-500 versus Pentax K-7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-500 and the K-7.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-500 and K-7 is 70 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-500 and K-7.
As you have seen, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-500 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-7 will provide more detail with its extra 7 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older E-500 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications
Olympus E-500 | Pentax K-7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus E-500 | Pentax K-7 |
Also Known as | EVOLT E-500 | - |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2005-10-21 | 2009-10-02 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Prime II |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8 megapixels | 15 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 3264 x 2448 | 4672 x 3104 |
Max native ISO | 400 | 2000 |
Max enhanced ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 45 | 151 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 215 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | - | TFT color LCD with AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.45x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 13.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video data format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 479g (1.06 lb) | 750g (1.65 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 61 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 536 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 980 photos |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/MMC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $600 | $599 |