• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Olympus Stylus 1

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 1.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 20.7 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,087 vs 179 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.1 vs 11.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 710 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus Stylus 1 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-500

Review Excerpt

  • High-quality constant aperture 10.7x zoom lens with excellent performance; Very affordable for what it delivers; Ergonomically sound with a solid, professional feel; Highly customizable; Fast overall performance; Built-in EVF and tilting touchscreen LCD; Automatic lens cap.

  • Smaller sensor size than 1-inch and Micro Four Thirds models mean far lower image quality as ISO tops 800; 28mm eq. is not as wide as some competitors and not overly suited for landscape photography.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P7100

Pentax K-500
Nikon P7100
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus Stylus 1
Nikon P7100
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-500
Sony A57
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus Stylus 1
Sony A57
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Olympus Stylus 1
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-500
Canon T5i
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Olympus Stylus 1
Canon T5i
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Olympus Stylus 1s

Pentax K-500
Olympus Stylus 1s
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus Stylus 1
Olympus Stylus 1s
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
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