Clicky

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax H90

Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Pentax Optio H90 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax H90 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(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
  • Introduced October 2005
  • Also Known as EVOLT E-500
  • Updated by Olympus E-510
Pentax H90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 153g - 101 x 65 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2010
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax H90 Overview

Here is a thorough comparison of the Olympus E-500 versus Pentax H90, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and H90 (12MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and H90 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The E-500 was introduced 5 years earlier than the H90 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax H90 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-500 matches up versus the H90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Pentax H90

 E-500 H90 

Reasons to pick Pentax H90 over the Olympus E-500

 H90 E-500 
IntroducedJanuary 2010October 2005Fresher by 51 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k215kClearer screen (+15k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Pentax H90

 E-500 H90 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax H90 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-500 comes with physical measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) and the Pentax H90 has specifications of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-500 versus Pentax H90 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-500 versus the H90.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax H90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-500 and H90 is 70 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax H90 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax H90 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specifications. The photograph below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-500 and H90.

To sum up, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-500 with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax H90 will offer you extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older E-500 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax H90 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-500
Portrait photography with Pentax H90
48
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
low megapixels (8MP)
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography features
Pentax H90 Street photography features
56
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (479g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
maximum ISO low (400)
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-500
Sports photography with Pentax H90
37
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
max fps low (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography features
Pentax H90 Travel photography features
52
lighter than competition in class (479g)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
57
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography details
Pentax H90 Landscape photography details
43
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
maximum ISO low (400)
does not have Time Lapse recording
36
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 Vlogging advice
Pentax H90 Vlogging advice
9
can't record video
28
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Pentax H90
 Olympus E-500Pentax Optio H90
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-500 Pentax Optio H90
Also called as EVOLT E-500 -
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2005-10-21 2010-01-25
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3264 x 2448 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 400 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 1600 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 215k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 479 gr (1.06 pounds) 153 gr (0.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $600 $150