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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax Q10

Portability
70
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Pentax Q10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax Q10 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Expand to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Launched October 2005
  • Additionally Known as EVOLT E-500
  • Replacement is Olympus E-510
Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Older Model is Pentax Q
  • Later Model is Pentax Q7
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax Q10 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-500 and Pentax Q10, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the E-500 (8MP) and Q10 (12MP) and the E-500 (Four Thirds) and Q10 (1/2.3") come with different sensor dimensions.

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The E-500 was brought out 7 years earlier than the Q10 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-500 grades versus the Q10 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Pentax Q10

 E-500 Q10 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Olympus E-500

 Q10 E-500 
IntroducedSeptember 2012October 2005Fresher by 83 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k215kClearer screen (+245k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Pentax Q10

 E-500 Q10 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax Q10 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-500 enjoys external dimensions of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q10 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-500 and Pentax Q10 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-500 compared to the Q10.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax Q10 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-500 and Q10 is 70 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax Q10 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax Q10 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through technical specs. The graphic here might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-500 and Q10.

As you have seen, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-500 due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax Q10 will show greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older E-500 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax Q10 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-500 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Portrait photography camera
48
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (8MP)
48
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography features
Pentax Q10 Street photography features
56
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (479g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (200g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 Sports photography features
Pentax Q10 Sports photography features
37
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
36
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (270 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q10 Travel photography advice
52
lighter than competitors in class (479g)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (8MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
60
lighter than competition in class (200 grams)
flash built-in
bad battery pack (270 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q10 Landscape photography information
43
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
low maximum ISO (400)
lack of Time Lapse function
54
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (270 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q10 Vlogging highlights
9
no video recording
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (200 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Olympus E-500 vs Pentax Q10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Pentax Q10
 Olympus E-500Pentax Q10
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-500 Pentax Q10
Also Known as EVOLT E-500 -
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2005-10-21 2012-09-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3264 x 2448 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 400 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 1600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 45 8
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 215 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 479 gr (1.06 pounds) 200 gr (0.44 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 183
Other
Battery life - 270 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $600 $350