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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-500

Portability
79
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Olympus SP-610UZ front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Olympus SP-610UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-616mm (F3.3-5.7) lens
  • 405g - 107 x 73 x 73mm
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus SP-600 UZ
  • Successor is Olympus SP-620 UZ
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-500 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Olympus SP-610UZ and Pentax K-500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SP-610UZ (14MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the SP-610UZ (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The SP-610UZ was brought out 3 years prior to the K-500 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-610UZ being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SP-610UZ grades vs the K-500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-610UZ over the Pentax K-500

 SP-610UZ K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Olympus SP-610UZ

 K-500 SP-610UZ 
RevealedNovember 2013January 2011Newer by 35 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-610UZ and Pentax K-500

 SP-610UZ K-500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-610UZ has exterior measurements of 107mm x 73mm x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") having a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-610UZ and Pentax K-500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SP-610UZ compared to the K-500.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-610UZ and K-500 is 79 and 64 respectively.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading through specs. The picture here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-610UZ and K-500.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SP-610UZ featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-500 will give you more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged SP-610UZ is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography factors
28
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Street photography features
Pentax K-500 Street photography features
50
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
above average ISO range (51,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
Sports photography with Pentax K-500
39
long zoom range (28-616mm 22.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
good battery (710 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Travel photography information
Pentax K-500 Travel photography information
61
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
great reach (616mm)
no Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
good battery (710 per charge)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography advice
40
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW files
good battery (710 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-500 Vlogging highlights
26
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-610UZ and Pentax K-500
 Olympus SP-610UZPentax K-500
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SP-610UZ Pentax K-500
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-06 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 51600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-616mm (22.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.7 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 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 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 405g (0.89 lbs) 646g (1.42 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 73 x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 340 photographs 710 photographs
Battery type AA AA
Battery model 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $299 $600