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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax K-5

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
27
Overall
31
Olympus SP-600 UZ front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Olympus SP-600 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-420mm (F3.5-5.4) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Revealed February 2010
  • Superseded the Olympus SP-590 UZ
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-610UZ
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax K-5 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax K-5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the SP-600 UZ (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the SP-600 UZ (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SP-600 UZ was brought out 10 months before the K-5 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-600 UZ being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SP-600 UZ grades against the K-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-600 UZ over the Pentax K-5

 SP-600 UZ K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Olympus SP-600 UZ

 K-5 SP-600 UZ 
LaunchedDecember 2010February 2010Fresher by 10 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax K-5

 SP-600 UZ K-5 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SP-600 UZ enjoys outside measurements of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") and a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax K-5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SP-600 UZ compared to the K-5.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SP-600 UZ and K-5 is 69 and 60 respectively.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to see the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through specs. The graphic below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-600 UZ and K-5.

All in all, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SP-600 UZ featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-5 will give extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The older SP-600 UZ is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography factors
27
manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Street photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Street photography highlights
36
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Sports photography factors
Pentax K-5 Sports photography factors
31
great zoom range (28-420mm 15.0 x zoom)
has tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Travel photography information
Pentax K-5 Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
very long zoom (420mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
environment proof
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-600 UZ
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5
29
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Vlogging details
Pentax K-5 Vlogging details
20
quite wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-600 UZ and Pentax K-5
 Olympus SP-600 UZPentax K-5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SP-600 UZ Pentax K-5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-02-02 2010-12-18
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 143 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-420mm (15.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.4 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1/2 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.10 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 455 grams (1.00 lb) 740 grams (1.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $189 $800