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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43
Olympus E-510 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Introduced November 2007
  • Other Name is EVOLT E-510
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-500
  • Successor is Olympus E-520
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Later Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the E-510 (10MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the E-510 (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The E-510 was brought out 9 years prior to the K-1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the E-510 grades vs the K-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Pentax K-1

 E-510 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Olympus E-510

 K-1 E-510 
LaunchedFebruary 2016November 2007Newer by 100 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-510 and Pentax K-1

 E-510 K-1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-510 has got external dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the E-510 and the K-1.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-510 and K-1 is 69 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by checking out a spec sheet. The picture here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-510 and K-1.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-510 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-1 will provide extra detail having its extra 26MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged E-510 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-510 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography advice
56
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
85
you can focus manually
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-510 Street photography information
Pentax K-1 Street photography information
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (490 grams)
no articulating screen
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
above average high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than average in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-510
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
52
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames/s)
low battery life (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
52
lighter than competition in class (490 grams)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
53
environment sealing
great megapixels (36MP)
low battery life (760 CIPA)
more heavy than average in class (1,010 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-510 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography information
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
low megapixels (10MP)
missing Time Lapse function
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
low battery life (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (1,010 grams)
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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-510 and Pentax K-1
 Olympus E-510Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-510 Pentax K-1
Also called EVOLT E-510 -
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2007-11-23 2016-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 36MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 1600 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.5" 3.2"
Display resolution 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 490g (1.08 lbs) 1010g (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 96
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.0 14.6
DXO Low light rating 442 3280
Other
Battery life - 760 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots One 2
Retail price $550 $1,499