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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Boost to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Released October 2005
  • Other Name is EVOLT E-500
  • Later Model is Olympus E-510
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-S1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and K-S1 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-500 was launched 9 years earlier than the K-S1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-500 grades against the K-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Pentax K-S1

 E-500 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Olympus E-500

 K-S1 E-500 
AnnouncedAugust 2014October 2005Newer by 107 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k215kSharper screen (+706k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-S1

 E-500 K-S1 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-500 features outer dimensions 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-S1 has proportions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") and a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-500 versus the K-S1.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-500 and K-S1 is 70 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions only by seeing specs. The picture here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-500 and K-S1.

All in all, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-500 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-S1 will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-500 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-500 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography factors
48
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
MP count low (8 megapixels)
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography details
Pentax K-S1 Street photography details
56
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (479 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
max ISO too low (400)
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average in class (558 grams)
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 Sports photography features
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography features
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (8 megapixels)
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-500
Travel photography with Pentax K-S1
52
lighter than others in class (479 grams)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (8 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
60
lighter than average in class (558 grams)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography features
43
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (8MP)
max ISO too low (400)
no Timelapse mode
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
bad battery life (410 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-500
Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
9
no video shooting
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (558 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Pentax K-S1
 Olympus E-500Pentax K-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-500 Pentax K-S1
Otherwise known as EVOLT E-500 -
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2005-10-21 2014-08-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 3264 x 2448 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 400 51200
Max enhanced ISO 1600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 215 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 479g (1.06 pounds) 558g (1.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1061
Other
Battery life - 410 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $600 $339