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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax Q

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43
Olympus E-510 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Introduced November 2007
  • Alternate Name is EVOLT E-510
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-500
  • Successor is Olympus E-520
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Later Model is Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax Q Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-510 and Pentax Q, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-510 (10MP) and the Q (12MP) is relatively well matched but the E-510 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") have different sensor sizes.

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The E-510 was unveiled 4 years prior to the Q which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-510 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-510 grades versus the Q with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Pentax Q

 E-510 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-510

 Q E-510 
ReleasedJune 2011November 2007Newer by 43 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-510 and Pentax Q

 E-510 Q 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-510 comes with outer dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-510 and Pentax Q in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the E-510 compared to the Q.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-510 and Q is 69 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by checking technical specs. The image below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-510 and Q.

As you have seen, both of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-510 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Pentax Q will give you greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged E-510 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-510 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q Portrait photography factors
56
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
45
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (490 grams)
fixed screen
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (180g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-510 Sports photography features
Pentax Q Sports photography features
52
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (10MP)
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-510 Travel photography factors
Pentax Q Travel photography factors
52
lighter than competition in class (490 grams)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
57
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low battery life (230 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
51
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-510 Vlogging features
Pentax Q Vlogging features
9
lack of video recording
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (180g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone socket
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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-510 and Pentax Q
 Olympus E-510Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-510 Pentax Q
Also called EVOLT E-510 -
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2007-11-23 2011-06-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS 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 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Available lenses 45 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 490 grams (1.08 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 47
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.0 11.1
DXO Low light score 442 189
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $550 $695