Pentax K-500 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Cameras
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Pentax K-500 vs Olympus E-M10 III

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-500 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-500.

4/3 226.2mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 III Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10 III.
Compare Olympus E-M10 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 III conclusion.

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Olympus E-M10 III

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.78 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

710 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M10 III advantages over Pentax K-500

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
49 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
Newer
7 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Lighter weight
503g vs 852g
Lighter weight
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.6 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-500 User Reviews

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Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
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Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Olympus E-M10 III

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Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Silver)

All E-M10 III Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-500, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-500 First Shots

Superbly-built, comfortable and compact body; Pairs beautifully with pancake kit lens; Excellent image quality; Excellent performance in most respects; Great single-shot autofocus; Really nice viewfinder and touch-screen display; Friendlier user interface courts amateurs.
Some controls are a bit small and tightly-packed; Hand grips are still a bit modestly-sized for larger lenses; Continuous and video autofocus just isn't up to snuff; New user interface can feel limiting to advanced photographers; Underwhelming battery life.
Read our Olympus E-M10 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-500

Sony A57

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57

Olympus E-M10 III

Sony A57

$549
4/3

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-500

Pentax K-5 IIs

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Olympus E-M10 III

Pentax K-5 IIs

$549
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-500

Canon T5i

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Canon T5i

Olympus E-M10 III

Canon T5i

$549
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Canon T5i

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Pentax K-500

Olympus E-M10 II

$597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$349
4/3

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10 III

Olympus E-M10 II

$549
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Bigger JPEG buffer

$349
4/3

Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-M10 II

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax K-500

Panasonic GX85

$597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX85

$549
4/3

More telephoto lens reach
Higher max flash sync

$598
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 III vs Panasonic GX85

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