The Pentax K10D is an excellent older model digital SLR camera that is available at a discount since it was replaced by the K20D. Its closest equivalent offered by Olympus is the EVOLT E-510, which itself was replaced by the E-520.
Similarities
Both the K10D and the E-510 have in-camera image stabilization, so any lense will be able to take advantage of this feature. Both have dust removal systems, which is important if you swap lenses often. A piece of dust on the sensor can actually ruin a camera.
K10D Advantages
Pentax offers weather sealing on the K10D, and when coupled with certain lenses, strong protection against the elements. The K10D also has 11-point auto focus (on the high end for DSLRs), while the E-510 has an older 3-point system.
E-510 Advantages
The E-510 allows for live viewing of photos while you are taking them, a rare feature for DSLRs at the time of its release. Also, the E-510 has one of the longest-lasting batteries you can buy for a DSLR, although the E-510 does not support a battery grip (a secondary battery that attaches to the bottom of the camera) like the K10D.
Your Decision
The K10D is a bit bigger and heaver. This can be either an advantage or disadvantage depending on the size of your hands. Tangentially, the Pentax saves to two kinds of RAW formats, while the Olympus accepts two kinds of SD cards.
Lenses
With digital SLRs, keep in mind that you will spend a lot more on lenses than on the camera body. Both brands have a lot of lenses to choose from, but Pentax has a slight edge as they support their older lenses from the film-era in manual focus mode. These high-quality lenses abound on the aftermarket and offer an inexpensive way to experiment with different focal lengths.
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