• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Olympus TG-6

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    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 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 710 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • 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 TG-6 advantages over Pentax K-500

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (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
  • 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.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

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 TG-6
Sony A57
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-6 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 TG-6
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus TG-6 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 TG-6
Canon T5i
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus TG-6 vs Canon T5i

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Pentax K-500
Olympus TG-4
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Olympus TG-4

Olympus TG-6
Olympus TG-4
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus TG-6 vs Olympus TG-4

Compared to Olympus TG-5

Pentax K-500
Olympus TG-5
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Olympus TG-5

Olympus TG-6
Olympus TG-5
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus TG-6 vs Olympus TG-5

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