Pentax K-500 vs Olympus E-PL8

Cameras
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Pentax K-500 vs Olympus E-PL8

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL8 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL8.

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Olympus E-PL8

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.75 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 350 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL8 advantages over Pentax K-500

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
38 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
Newer
8 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
487g vs 852g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.5 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL8 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-500

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

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

All K-500 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL8

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (White)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Brown)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (White)

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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

We haven’t finished our review of the Olympus E-PL8, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Olympus E-PL8 Shooter's Report

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-PL8

Sony A57

$599
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL8 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-PL8

Pentax K-5 IIs

$599
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL8 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-PL8

Canon T5i

$599
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Canon T5i

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-PL8

Panasonic GX85

$599
4/3

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Pentax K-500

Olympus E-PL9

$597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Olympus E-PL9

Olympus E-PL8

Olympus E-PL9

$599
4/3

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PL9

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