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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43
Olympus E-510 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Announced November 2007
  • Other Name is EVOLT E-510
  • Old Model is Olympus E-500
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-520
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-510 and Pentax K-r, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-510 (10MP) and the K-r (12MP) is relatively similar but the E-510 (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-510 was introduced 4 years before the K-r and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-510 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-510 matches up vs the K-r with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-510 K-r 

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

 K-r E-510 
LaunchedMarch 2011November 2007Fresher by 40 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

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

 E-510 K-r 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-510 provides exterior dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Pentax K-r has measurements of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-510 and Pentax K-r in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the E-510 and the K-r.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-510 and K-r is 69 and 67 respectively.

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

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing technical specs. The photograph below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-510 and K-r.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-510 using its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh harder and the Pentax K-r will offer you extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older E-510 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

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

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

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-510 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-r Portrait photography details
56
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-510 Street photography advice
Pentax K-r Street photography advice
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (490g)
fixed screen
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-510 Sports photography information
Pentax K-r Sports photography information
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery life (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-510
Travel photography with Pentax K-r
52
lighter than others in class (490 grams)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
47
has built in flash
low battery life (470 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery life (470 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-510 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-r Vlogging highlights
9
can't shoot video
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-510 and Pentax K-r
 Olympus E-510Pentax K-r
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-510 Pentax K-r
Also called EVOLT E-510 -
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2007-11-23 2011-03-11
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 3 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
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 Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490 grams (1.08 lb) 598 grams (1.32 lb)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 72
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.0 12.4
DXO Low light score 442 755
Other
Battery life - 470 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $550 $1,100