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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43
Olympus E-510 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched November 2007
  • Also referred to as EVOLT E-510
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-500
  • Renewed by Olympus E-520
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Introduced December 2009
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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-510 and Pentax K-x, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-510 (10MP) and the K-x (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-510 (Four Thirds) and K-x (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The E-510 was revealed 3 years prior to the K-x and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology 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-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-510 scores vs the K-x with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 E-510 K-x 

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

 K-x E-510 
IntroducedDecember 2009November 2007More recent by 25 months
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

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

 E-510 K-x 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-510 has physical 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) and the Pentax K-x has sizing of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-510 and Pentax K-x in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the E-510 compared to the K-x.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-510 and K-x is 69 and 69 respectively.

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

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-510 and K-x.

Clearly, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-510 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-x will show extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The older E-510 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-510 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-x Portrait photography factors
56
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-510
Street photography with Pentax K-x
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (490g)
no moving screen
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-510 Sports photography features
Pentax K-x Sports photography features
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (10MP)
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-510 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-x Travel photography factors
52
lighter than competitors in class (490g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
54
great battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-510 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-x Landscape photography features
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (1,900 shots)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-510 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-x Vlogging highlights
9
no video
27
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-510 and Pentax K-x
 Olympus E-510Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-510 Pentax K-x
Also Known as EVOLT E-510 -
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2007-11-23 2009-12-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 16.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490 grams (1.08 lbs) 580 grams (1.28 lbs)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 72
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 10.0 12.5
DXO Low light score 442 811
Other
Battery life - 1900 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $550 $600