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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed May 2013
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and K-500 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM2 was released 6 months prior to the K-500 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-PM2 scores against the K-500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Pentax K-500

 E-PM2 K-500 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Olympus E-PM2

 K-500 E-PM2 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-500

 E-PM2 K-500 
ReleasedMay 2013November 2013Same generation
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM2 features external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PM2 versus the K-500.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and K-500 is 89 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing specifications. The photograph here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM2 and K-500.

Plainly, the 2 cameras feature the identical resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PM2 has got the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF more difficult.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography info
71
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
74
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Street photography camera
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good high ISO (51,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Sports photography highlights
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
has no phase detect auto focus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
good battery life (710 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography info
Pentax K-500 Travel photography info
66
comes with touch focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
67
good battery life (710 CIPA)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse function
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (710 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
36
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have external mic port
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-500
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Pentax K-500
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Pentax K-500
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-05-21 2013-11-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless 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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 51600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
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
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 gr (0.59 pounds) 646 gr (1.42 pounds)
Physical 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 Overall rating 72 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 13.1
DXO Low light rating 932 1087
Other
Battery life 360 shots 710 shots
Type 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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $448 $600