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Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-500

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Revealed January 2019
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
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Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here is a detailed analysis of the Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-500, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and K-500 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1X was launched 5 years later than the K-500 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-M1X matches up versus the K-500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Pentax K-500

 E-M1X K-500 
IntroducedJanuary 2019November 2013Fresher by 63 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k921kSharper display (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Olympus E-M1X

 K-500 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-500

 E-M1X K-500 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1X features physical measurements of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M1X versus the K-500.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1X and K-500 is 54 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing merely by seeing specs. The photograph below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1X and K-500.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1X due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Olympus E-M1X will show more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images much more aggressively. The younger E-M1X provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography advice
76
manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
74
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography factors
Pentax K-500 Street photography factors
67
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than competition (997g)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
above average high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
80
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery life (870 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery life (710 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Travel photography info
Pentax K-500 Travel photography info
68
good battery life (870 CIPA)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (997g)
67
better than average battery life (710 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography features
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography features
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery life (870 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1X
Vlogging with Pentax K-500
68
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone jack
more heavy than competition (997 grams)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have mic socket
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Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-500
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XPentax K-500
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Pentax K-500
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2019-01-24 2013-11-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic VIII PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 51600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 121 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 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 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 997 gr (2.20 lb) 646 gr (1.42 lb)
Dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 870 photos 710 photos
Style of battery Built-in AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual Single
Pricing at release $2,999 $600