Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax K-500
90 Imaging
39 Features
54 Overall
45


64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62
Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 253g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
- Revealed May 2019
- Replaced the Olympus TG-5
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Introduced November 2013

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax K-500 Overview
On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus TG-6 versus Pentax K-500, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the TG-6 (12MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the TG-6 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

The TG-6 was brought out 5 years later than the K-500 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-6 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the TG-6 grades vs the K-500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax K-500 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Tough TG-6 & Pentax K-500. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus TG-6 Gallery & Pentax K-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-6 over the Pentax K-500
TG-6 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | May 2019 | ![]() | November 2013 | More recent by 67 months |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 921k | Crisper display (+119k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Olympus TG-6
K-500 | TG-6 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus TG-6 and Pentax K-500
TG-6 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch display |
Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to lug around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus TG-6 offers outside dimensions of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 253 grams (0.56 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).
Look at the Olympus TG-6 versus Pentax K-500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the TG-6 against the K-500.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the TG-6 and K-500 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking technical specs. The photograph here might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-6 and K-500.
As you can tell, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The TG-6 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-500 will resolve greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more recent TG-6 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications
Olympus Tough TG-6 | Pentax K-500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus Tough TG-6 | Pentax K-500 |
Class | Waterproof | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2019-05-22 | 2013-11-27 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VIII | 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 | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 51600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens focal range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | - |
Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 1,040k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 20.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Slow sync. (1st curtain), Red-eye Slow sync. (1st curtain), Fill- in, Manual, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PC | 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 | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Built-in | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 253g (0.56 lb) | 646g (1.42 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 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 | 340 pictures | 710 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery model | LI-92B | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I support) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $449 | $600 |