Olympus SH-50 vs Pentax K-5 IIs: A Real-World Showdown Between Compact Superzoom and Advanced DSLR

When it comes to choosing the right camera for your photography passion, the world’s a big place - and so are the options. Today, we'll dig deep into two very different yet interesting cameras from 2013: the Olympus SH-50 compact superzoom and the Pentax K-5 IIs advanced DSLR. At first glance, these two couldn't be more different - from sensor size to handling - but the question remains: which one holds up better for the shooting styles and demands of today’s photographer?

Having put both cameras through our rigorous, practical testing - covering everything from sensor performance to ergonomics across multiple genres - I’ll share what I’ve learned. Along the way, we’ll see where each excels and where compromises are unavoidable. Let’s jump right in.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Size, Build, and Ergonomics

Photography starts with how the camera feels in your hands, and this pairing offers a classic contrast: petite compact versus solid DSLR.

The Olympus SH-50 weighs just 269 grams with modest dimensions of 112 x 63 x 42 mm. It’s pocketable and unobtrusive, a true grab-and-go camera perfect for casual trips or everyday carry. The body is predominantly plastic but feels well built for its class. The buttons are thoughtfully arranged, and the touchscreen makes navigating menus quick - an uncommon feature in 2013 compacts that still holds up today. However, the lack of an electronic or optical viewfinder means relying exclusively on the rear screen for composition.

In comparison, the Pentax K-5 IIs is a considerably larger chunk of gear, tipping the scales at 760 grams with dimensions 131 x 97 x 73 mm. It boasts a rugged magnesium alloy body with weather sealing, designed to withstand the elements photographers often confront in the wild. Handling is markedly more refined - thanks to a deep grip, well-placed dials, and buttons sized for gloved fingers. The presence of a bright optical pentaprism viewfinder covering 100% of the frame rounds out the traditional DSLR experience.

In side-by-side handling, the Olympus clearly wins for portability and convenience. It invites casual shooting and can hide in your hand. However, the Pentax delivers a tactile control experience and build quality that professionals will find far more satisfying on extended shoots or in challenging environments.

Control Layout and User Interface: Tactile vs. Touchscreen

Moving past size, how you interact with these cameras can shape your shooting experience.

The Olympus SH-50 employs a clean interface controlled mainly by the 3-inch touchscreen with 460k dots resolution. This touchscreen is responsive and makes quick tapping to change focus points or settings quite practical, especially for users migrating from smartphones. Still, lacking physical dials for aperture or shutter speed means many adjustments require digging into menus - something you notice quickly when trying to shoot in dynamic conditions.

On the other hand, the Pentax K-5 IIs goes old school with a more traditional DSLR layout complete with a top LCD panel displaying exposure info at a glance - very handy for work under bright sunlight. Dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation allow instant tweaks without menu diving. You do get a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 921k dots, sharp and bright, although no touchscreen responsiveness. The viewfinder requires you to shoot through it to make critical assessments, which some photographers prefer for compositional control.

The choice here boils down to shooting style: Olympus targets casual shooting simplified by touchscreen, while Pentax offers manual control enthusiasts reliable physical access to critical settings.

Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Now to the heart of any camera - the sensor and its output.

The Olympus SH-50 employs a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor, measuring only 6.17 x 4.55 mm with an area of roughly 28.07 mm², producing 16 megapixels. This tiny sensor, typical of point-and-shoot cameras, is pushed hard to deliver a maximum ISO of 6400 but lacks raw capability - a major limitation for post-processing flexibility today. Sensor area, as you might expect, influences light gathering, noise performance, and dynamic range, so smaller sensors struggle in lower light and have limited depth-of-field control.

Conversely, the Pentax K-5 IIs features a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.7 x 15.7 mm (area: 372.09 mm²), also 16 megapixels but without an anti-aliasing filter. Removing this filter enhances sharpness and detail resolution at the risk of moiré patterns in some scenes. The K-5 IIs offers native ISO sensitivity from 100 to 12800, expandable up to 51200, supporting shooting in challenging conditions with reasonable noise levels. It also fully supports RAW capture, giving photographers extensive creative latitude.

This difference in sensor size and technology forms the backbone of their performance divide. For landscape, portrait, and low-light work, the Pentax has a clear technical advantage in image quality, dynamic range, and detail retention. The Olympus's sensor is more constrained but balanced by the convenience of its extended zoom range.

Display and Interface: Composition and Review

The Olympus displays its images on a 3-inch touchscreen with decent resolution but limited brightness and no articulating feature. This hampers critical viewing in very bright outdoor situations and limits low-angle or overhead shooting flexibility.

The Pentax’s 3-inch fixed TFT LCD has higher resolution (921k dots), offering more detailed image review. Coupled with the large, bright optical viewfinder, the K-5 IIs promotes accurate framing and exposure assessment on the fly. Live view modes are available on both, but Pentax's autofocus system benefits more from it due to phase detection integration.

For street and travel photography, the Olympus’s touchscreen helps rapid shooting but the Pentax’s rugged viewing system offers a more professional and reliable experience, especially under varied lighting.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking the Moving Subject

Autofocus is the gatekeeper for many active shooting disciplines like wildlife, sports, and street photography.

The Olympus SH-50 features contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and multi-area modes. It can shoot bursts up to 12 fps (continuous shooting), impressive for a compact camera, though autofocus speed is middling and less reliable in dimmer light. There is no phase-detection AF, which limits subject-tracking precision and speed.

The Pentax K-5 IIs uses a hybrid system with 11 autofocus points including 9 cross-type sensors and phase-detection on the dedicated autofocus sensor array. This delivers swift and accurate lock-on, even in complex scenes. The continuous shooting tops out at 7 fps, a respectable frame rate for an enthusiast DSLR, with robust AF tracking that holds up well during sports or wildlife sessions.

Both offer face detection, but Pentax’s contrast/phase hybrid system significantly improves responsiveness and tracking reliability.

Lens Ecosystem and Focal Range

An elephant in the room when comparing a fixed-lens compact and a DSLR is lens versatility.

The Olympus SH-50 has a built-in 25-600mm equivalent zoom (24x) with maximum aperture ranging f/3.0 to f/6.9. This extensive range suits travel and wildlife at a distance, but the slow telephoto aperture limits low light performance and bokeh quality. Being fixed lens also means you’re married to that zoom, no switching or upgrades possible.

Pentax K-5 IIs shoots with Pentax KAF2 lenses, with a vast ecosystem of over 150 lenses available - ranging from ultra-wide primes to fast telephotos and macro offerings. This system flexibility enables fine tuning your setup for portraits, landscapes, macro, or sports. The ability to shoot at wide apertures with prime lenses also favors shallow depth of field and better low-light results. Stabilization is sensor-based, like Olympus, giving benefits regardless of lens choice.

Real-World Shooting: Discipline-Specific Insights

Let’s translate these specs and design choices into real-world shooting scenarios.

Portrait Photography

Capturing skin tones and expressive eyes demands excellent sensor performance and bokeh control.

• Olympus SH-50: The small sensor limits depth of field control, resulting in less pronounced background blur. Skin tones render passably but with some noise in indoor/low light. Face detection helps with focus but selective eye focus is absent.
• Pentax K-5 IIs: APS-C sensor’s size and removal of anti-aliasing filter provide crisp details. Wide-aperture primes from the Pentax lineup deliver smooth, creamy bokeh and great isolation. Accurate face and eye detection improves focus precision.

Landscape Photography

Preserving wide dynamic range and resolving fine details is critical here.

• Olympus SH-50: Dynamic range is limited by the small sensor, and fixed lens means resolution at wide angles is capped. No weather sealing limits rugged landscape use.
• Pentax K-5 IIs: Excellent dynamic range and resolution with 16 MP APS-C sensor. Weather sealing allows outdoor shooting in varied weather. The extensive lens lineup covers everything from ultra-wide to telephoto for creative framing.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Speed and accuracy of autofocus, plus frame rate and reach, are priorities.

• Olympus SH-50: Huge 25-600mm zoom helps reach subjects, but narrow aperture at zoom end impairs autofocus and image quality under lower light. Burst speed is high but suffers from focus lag.
• Pentax K-5 IIs: Phase detection AF and 7 fps burst enable competent tracking. Lens choice lets you mount long telephotos with fast apertures and stabilization, improving results significantly.

Street and Travel Photography

Here, discretion, portability, and battery life weigh heavily.

• Olympus SH-50: Small size and quiet operation make it inconspicuous. Low weight and touchscreen usability help quick snaps. Battery life unspecified but generally compact cameras run shorter than DSLRs.
• Pentax K-5 IIs: Larger and heavier, less discreet. However, rugged build welcomes travel into harsh environments, and battery life (approx 980 shots) outlasts compacts comfortably.

Macro Photography

Precision focusing and magnification define success.

• Olympus SH-50: 5cm macro mode offers close focusing but limited magnification and detail due to sensor size.
• Pentax K-5 IIs: Coupled with specialized macro lenses and sensor stabilization, it provides excellent image quality and fine focus control.

Night and Astrophotography

High ISO performance and long exposures are tested here.

• Olympus SH-50: ISO tops at 6400 but high noise levels limit usefulness beyond lower ISOs. Shutter speed maxes out at 1/2000 sec; long exposure modes are limited.
• Pentax K-5 IIs: Native ISO up to 12800 expandable to 51200, with excellent noise control. Built-in sensor-shift stabilization and the ability to shoot long exposures make it very capable for astrophotography.

Video Capabilities

Both offer 1080p recording, but with notable differences.

• Olympus records full HD at 60fps in H.264 with decent in-camera stabilization. No microphone ports limit professional audio recording.
• Pentax also shoots 1080p but maxes at 25fps and uses Motion JPEG, less efficient. Crucially, it has a microphone input for better audio capture. No in-body video stabilization.

Olympus SH 50 front Olympus SH 50 screen back Pentax K 5 IIs front Pentax K 5 IIs screen back

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

The Pentax’s weather sealing is a huge plus for reliability in challenging conditions. Olympus’s compact shell lacks any environmental protection, making it more vulnerable.

Connectivity and Storage Options

Olympus includes built-in wireless (though limited by 2013 standards) and USB 2.0 connectivity. No GPS, Bluetooth, or NFC.

Pentax is barebones with no wireless connectivity but offers optional GPS via accessory. Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot.

Battery Life and Storage

The K-5 IIs’s battery life of about 980 shots far outperforms what you’d expect from the Olympus, which although unspecified, will typically be shorter in real-world use, especially with the rear screen on.

Price to Performance Assessment

At launch, the Olympus SH-50 priced at around $300, representing budget-friendly access to a versatile superzoom.

The Pentax K-5 IIs came in at approximately $750, targeting enthusiasts and professionals wanting a durable DSLR with high image quality and lens flexibility.

How These Cameras Score Across Photography Genres

Breaking down performance shows where each shines and stalls:

• The Pentax outperforms in portrait, landscape, night, macro, and professional use.
• The Olympus maintains advantages in travel, street, and ease-of-use-oriented casual photography due to size and zoom reach.
• Video capabilities slightly favor Olympus in frame rate and stabilization, but Pentax offers manual audio input.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Pick Which?

This comparison is less about crowning a single winner and more about matching tool to task.

Choose the Olympus SH-50 if you want:

• Ultra-compact, lightweight travel companion with a powerful zoom.
• Easy touchscreen operation and fast burst shooting.
• Casual photography, street, or travel use where portability trumps ultimate image quality.
• A budget-friendly option without interchangeable lenses or raw support.

Opt for the Pentax K-5 IIs if you need:

• Professional-grade image quality with excellent dynamic range and low light performance.
• Weather-sealed ruggedness for outdoor, landscape, or adventure shooting.
• Extensive lens ecosystem, including fast primes for portraits and macros.
• Reliable autofocus and burst rate for wildlife or sports photography.
• Greater control via physical dials and an optical viewfinder.
• Tethered or studio shooting incorporating RAW workflow.

Closing with a Personal Note

Having shot extensively with both cameras, I can attest that the Olympus SH-50 feels like a trusty pocket-sized adventure buddy: always ready, versatile, and unobtrusive, but limited in creative control or high-end image quality. The Pentax K-5 IIs, meanwhile, continuously reminds me why DSLRs (even from 2013) remain relevant: sheer image quality, control, and reliability.

No camera is perfect across all disciplines. Your choice should hinge on what you shoot daily, how much gear you’re willing to carry, and how deeply you want to engage with photography technology. When you weigh those factors, both these cameras have a well-earned place in the toolbox.

Thanks for spending some time with me on this comprehensive comparison. If you have experiences with either camera or questions about their use, feel free to reach out. Happy shooting!