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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43
Olympus E-510 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Released November 2007
  • Additionally referred to as EVOLT E-510
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-500
  • Successor is Olympus E-520
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Introduced June 2008
  • Previous Model is Pentax K10D
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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K20D Overview

The following is a complete assessment of the Olympus E-510 and Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the E-510 (10MP) and K20D (15MP) and the E-510 (Four Thirds) and K20D (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

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The E-510 was launched 7 months before the K20D and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-510 grades versus the K20D in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Pentax K20D

 E-510 K20D 

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Olympus E-510

 K20D E-510 
IntroducedJune 2008November 2007Newer by 7 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-510 and Pentax K20D

 E-510 K20D 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-510 provides physical dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Pentax K20D has measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-510 and Pentax K20D in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-510 against the K20D.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-510 and K20D is 69 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through technical specs. The picture below may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-510 and K20D.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-510 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K20D will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-510 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Portrait photography camera
56
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
72
has manual focus
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-510 Street photography details
Pentax K20D Street photography details
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (490 grams)
no moving screen
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-510 Sports photography info
Pentax K20D Sports photography info
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-510 Travel photography features
Pentax K20D Travel photography features
52
lighter than average (490g)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
64
environment proof
good MP (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-510 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K20D Landscape photography advice
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
resolution not great (10MP)
missing Time Lapse function
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
small screen (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-510
Vlogging with Pentax K20D
9
no video recording
9
can't record video
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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-510 and Pentax K20D
 Olympus E-510Pentax K20D
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-510 Pentax K20D
Also referred to as EVOLT E-510 -
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2007-11-23 2008-06-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490 gr (1.08 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 65
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.0 11.1
DXO Low light score 442 639
Other
Battery model - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $550 $700