Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500
68 Imaging
45 Features
45 Overall
45
![Olympus E-520 front Olympus E-520 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-E-520/Olympus-E-520-front.jpg)
![Pentax K-500 front Pentax K-500 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-500/Pentax-K-500-front.jpg)
64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62
Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 552g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
- Revealed August 2008
- Older Model is Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Released November 2013
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 Overview
Lets take a closer look at the Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-500, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-520 (10MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the E-520 (Four Thirds) and K-500 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
The E-520 was announced 6 years prior to the K-500 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-520 grades against the K-500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus E-520 & Pentax K-500. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-520 Gallery & Pentax K-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-520 over the Pentax K-500
E-520 | K-500 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Olympus E-520
K-500 | E-520 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | November 2013 | ![]() | August 2008 | More modern by 64 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-500
E-520 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-520 comes with outer measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-520 and Pentax K-500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-520 and the K-500.
![Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-520-vs-Pentax-K-500-size-comparison.jpg)
Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-520 and K-500 is 68 and 64 respectively.
![Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-520-vs-Pentax-K-500-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes purely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-520 and K-500.
Clearly, both of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-520 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-500 will result in more detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-520 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.
![Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-E-520-vs-Pentax-K-500-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-520-vs-Pentax-K-500-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-520 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications
Olympus E-520 | Pentax K-500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus E-520 | Pentax K-500 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2008-08-20 | 2013-11-27 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | PRIME M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 51600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 45 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 552 grams (1.22 pounds) | 646 grams (1.42 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 55 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 548 | 1087 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 650 shots | 710 shots |
Battery type | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery ID | - | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $400 | $600 |