• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Olympus E-M10 III

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.78 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 710 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M10 III advantages over Pentax K-500

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
    49 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 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
    503g vs 852g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 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
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M10 III

Review Excerpt

  • Superbly-built, comfortable and compact body; Pairs beautifully with pancake kit lens; Excellent image quality; Excellent performance in most respects; Great single-shot autofocus; Really nice viewfinder and touch-screen display; Friendlier user interface courts amateurs.

  • Some controls are a bit small and tightly-packed; Hand grips are still a bit modestly-sized for larger lenses; Continuous and video autofocus just isn't up to snuff; New user interface can feel limiting to advanced photographers; Underwhelming battery life.

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
Olympus E-M10 III
Sony A57
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $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 E-M10 III
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $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 E-M10 III
Canon T5i
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Pentax K-500
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus E-M10 III
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax K-500
Panasonic GX85
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-M10 III
Panasonic GX85
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Compare Other Cameras?