Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
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64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Launched November 2011
- Updated by Olympus E-PM2
(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
- Launched November 2013
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Pentax K-500, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and K-500 (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe E-PM1 was introduced 24 months earlier than the K-500 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the K-500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PM1 & Pentax K-500. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery & Pentax K-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K-500
E-PM1 | K-500 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Olympus E-PM1
K-500 | E-PM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2013 | November 2011 | Fresher by 24 months | |
Display resolution | 921k | 460k | Clearer display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-500
E-PM1 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | Very precise focus | |||
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent display measurements | |
Selfie screen | Neither contains selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Neither contains Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 has got exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PM1 versus Pentax K-500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PM1 against the K-500.
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and K-500 is 89 and 64 respectively.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it's difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and K-500.
Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-500 will offer you greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images far more aggressively. The older E-PM1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Pentax K-500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Pentax K-500 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2011-11-23 | 2013-11-27 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VI | 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 | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 51600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Amount of lenses | 107 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | 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 | 265 grams (0.58 pounds) | 646 grams (1.42 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 52 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.0 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 499 | 1087 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 photos | 710 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $499 | $600 |