Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-500

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax K-500, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is pretty close but the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) posses different sensor measurements.

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The SP-820UZ was brought out 15 months earlier than the K-500 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SP-820UZ grades against the K-500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ & Pentax K-500. The entire galleries are available at Olympus SP-820UZ Gallery & Pentax K-500 Gallery.

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SP-820UZ features physical measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

See the Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax K-500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SP-820UZ against the K-500.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-820UZ and K-500 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The visual here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and K-500.

As you can see, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SP-820UZ because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-500 will render extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older SP-820UZ will be behind in sensor technology.