• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus E-520
  • Pentax K-500
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: E-520 K-500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $699.99 $599.95
Street Price:   $596.95
Date Available: 2008-07-15 2013-07-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 19.4 oz (550 g)
includes batteries
30.1 oz (852 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.4 x 3.6 x 2.7 in.
(136 x 91 x 68 mm)
5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(130 x 97 x 71 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 16.3
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.3mm x 13mm) 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.74 microns 4.81 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 55 79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.4 23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.4 13.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 548 1,087
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
4224 x 2816 (11.9 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2688 x 1792 (4.8 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.ORF) JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.5 6.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
640x480 (30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format:   MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: No
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Four Thirds Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
Lens: Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL; 11 elements in 8 groups, 6 bladed diaphragm
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 84mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 14 - 42mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/38 (tele)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 58.0mm 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 3-point TTL Phase Difference Detection, 11-point Contrast Detect in Live View mode Phase Detect:: SAFOX IXi+, 11 point (9 cross type focus point in the center), with light wavelength sensor and diffraction lens; Live View: Contrast detection AF (face detection, tracking, select, spot)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.92x mag., 14mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0 diopt. SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter, 21.7mm eyepoint (from view window), Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen (interchangeable)
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.46x 0.61x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x 0.92x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 1600 (1/3EV steps) Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Custom, One-Touch Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE, 3 Manual and 3 Kelvin temperature presets
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/6000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 49-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot / Highlight Spot / Shadow Spot (Spot Approx. 2%) TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, Sport, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Panorama* (* Available with the Olympus xD-Picture Card), Beach & Snow, Underwater Wide, Underwater Macro Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority, Scene (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR*, Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum, *JPEG only); Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Color; Dynamic range adjustment (Highlight, Shadow); HDR: Auto, HDR 1, HDR 2, HDR 3
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (1/4, 1/16, 1/64), Off. P-TTL: On, Redeye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync + Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens aperture Depends on lens
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, Wireless Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive / xD SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.ORF) 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: RM-UC1 cable or RM-1 IR Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): Dedicated multi-connector (Video: NTSC/PAL, Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 is available Wired remote port
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.51  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.51  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 14  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.5 6.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 12 30
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.14 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.13 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.115 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.19 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.080 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View Full Autofocus: Imager AF = 2.548s AF Sensor = 0.718s Hybrid AF = 1.256s Live View Prefocused: Imager AF = 0.566s AF Sensor = 0.548s Hybrid AF = 0.551s  
Startup Time: 1.4 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 650 shots 710 shots (Lithium AA)
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLM-1 4 x AA or proprietary D--LI109 Lithion-ion
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium) or optional D-LI109 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLM-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable 4 x AA Lithium disposables
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM Software CDROM (SILKYPIX Developer Studio for PENTAX included)
OS Compatibility: MS Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Enhanced 3-mode In-Body Image Stabilization, Live View, New and Improved HyperCrystal II LCD, Face Detection Technology, Shadow Adjustment Technology, Perfect Shot Preview, Wireless Flash support. Entry-level model: Similar to K-50 in IQ and performance, but not weather sealed, comes with 4 Energizer lithium AAs, and only available in black.