Pentax K-500 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Pentax K-500 advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

• Larger sensor
  APS-C vs 4/3
  More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
• Bigger pixels
  ~ 4.81 vs 3.75 microns
  Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
• Higher effective ISO

  Higher effective ISO

  Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

  Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

  You can learn more at our glossary entry.

  Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.

  K-500 test data on DxO Mark E-M5 II test data on DxO Mark
  1,087 vs 908 iso
  Take photos in low light with less noise
• 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 310 shots
  Capture more photos
• Internal flash
  Internal flash vs None
  Useful in a pinch for fill flash
• Has anti-aliasing filter
  Filter vs No Filter
  Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
• Bigger JPEG buffer
  30 vs 18 shots
  Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
• Higher extended ISO
  51200 vs 25600 ISO
  Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility