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Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Launched January 2014
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
  • Launched November 2013
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Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

The following is a extended overview of the Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is very well matched but the SP-100 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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The SP-100 was released 3 months after the K-500 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SP-100 scores vs the K-500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Pentax K-500

 SP-100 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Olympus SP-100

 K-500 SP-100 
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-100 and Pentax K-500

 SP-100 K-500 
LaunchedJanuary 2014November 2013Similar generation
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-100 features exterior measurements of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") along with a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the SP-100 versus the K-500.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-100 and K-500 is 63 and 64 respectively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The image below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-100 and K-500.

As you have seen, both cameras have got the exact same megapixels but not the same sensor dimensions. The SP-100 offers the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF more challenging.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography information
44
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Street photography highlights
42
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition (594 grams)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
above average ISO range (51,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-500 Sports photography factors
53
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery (710 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Travel photography features
Pentax K-500 Travel photography features
53
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (594g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.9)
67
better than average battery (710 shots)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography highlights
47
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (710 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Vlogging info
Pentax K-500 Vlogging info
29
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic support
slow max aperture (f2.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (594 grams)
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
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Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-100 and Pentax K-500
 Olympus Stylus SP-100Pentax K-500
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-100 Pentax K-500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-01-29 2013-11-27
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 51600
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.9-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 920 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off 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 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 594 grams (1.31 lb) 646 grams (1.42 lb)
Dimensions 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 710 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery ID LI-92B 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $400 $600