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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Expand to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Announced October 2005
  • Additionally Known as EVOLT E-500
  • New Model is Olympus E-510
Pentax WG-1 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced August 2011
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-500 and Pentax WG-1 GPS, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and WG-1 GPS (14MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and WG-1 GPS (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-500 was revealed 6 years earlier than the WG-1 GPS which is quite a sizable 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 WG-1 GPS being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-500 scores versus the WG-1 GPS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 E-500 WG-1 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Olympus E-500

 WG-1 GPS E-500 
AnnouncedAugust 2011October 2005Newer by 70 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k215kSharper display (+15k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Pentax WG-1 GPS

 E-500 WG-1 GPS 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-500 has got external measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 GPS has proportions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-500 and Pentax WG-1 GPS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-500 and the WG-1 GPS.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-500 and WG-1 GPS is 70 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-500 and WG-1 GPS.

As you can see, both of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-500 with its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax WG-1 GPS will give more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-500 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-500 Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography features
48
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
35
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography features
Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography features
56
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (479g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
max ISO too low (400)
54
environment proof
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography highlights
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
37
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography advice
Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography advice
52
lighter than competitors in class (479 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
71
environment proof
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-1 GPS Landscape photography factors
43
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
max ISO too low (400)
does not have Time Lapse function
42
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
environment proof
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
25
quite wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Olympus E-500Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-500 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Also Known as EVOLT E-500 -
Class Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Announced 2005-10-21 2011-08-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Peak resolution 3264 x 2448 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 400 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 1600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 215k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 479 grams (1.06 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life - 260 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $600 $350