Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax K-500
88 Imaging
40 Features
53 Overall
45
64 Imaging
57 Features
70 Overall
62
Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
- Announced March 2014
- Updated by Olympus SH-2
(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
- Announced November 2013
Photography Glossary Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax K-500 Overview
On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax K-500, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SH-1 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is relatively similar but the SH-1 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe SH-1 was introduced 5 months later than the K-500 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SH-1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SH-1 matches up against the K-500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax K-500 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Stylus SH-1 and Pentax K-500. The whole galleries are available at Olympus SH-1 Gallery and Pentax K-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Pentax K-500
| SH-1 | K-500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touch friendly screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Olympus SH-1
| K-500 | SH-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Dial precise focus | |||
| Screen resolution | 921k | 460k | Sharper screen (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SH-1 and Pentax K-500
| SH-1 | K-500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | March 2014 | November 2013 | Similar generation | |
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen measurement | |
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen |
Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison
If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SH-1 features physical measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has specifications 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 SH-1 vs Pentax K-500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SH-1 vs the K-500.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SH-1 and K-500 is 88 and 64 respectively.
Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements purely by going over a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-1 and K-500.
Clearly, both cameras have the same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The SH-1 features the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult.
Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideStreet Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesSports Comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthTravel Comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoLandscape Comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneVlogging Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications
| Olympus Stylus SH-1 | Pentax K-500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Olympus | Pentax |
| Model | Olympus Stylus SH-1 | Pentax K-500 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Announced | 2014-03-31 | 2013-11-27 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | TruePic VII | PRIME M |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 372.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
| Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 51600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 11 |
| Cross focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
| Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
| Macro focus range | 3cm | - |
| Total lenses | - | 151 |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 460k dot | 921k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen technology | - | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/6000s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 12.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | - | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | - | 1/180s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 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 data format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | Optional |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 271 gr (0.60 pounds) | 646 gr (1.42 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall 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 | 380 images | 710 images |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | AA |
| Battery model | LI-92B | 4 x AA |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch cost | $349 | $600 |