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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(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
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
  • Launched November 2013
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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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Pentax K-500

 E-PM1 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Olympus E-PM1

 K-500 E-PM1 
LaunchedNovember 2013November 2011Fresher by 24 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-500

 E-PM1 K-500 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography details
60
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography details
Pentax K-500 Street photography details
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
above average ISO range (51,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Sports photography highlights
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
no phase detect auto focus
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery (710 shots)
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography information
Pentax K-500 Travel photography information
45
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
67
good battery (710 per charge)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
good battery (710 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic socket
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Pentax K-500
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Pentax 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