If the shares are given after an investment of $1 million, then 0.5% of the company is $5000, just by a conservative evaluation that takes only the investment value into account.
If you think the shares have a guaranteed future value, then the shares are better than the options.
If you think the shares have a guaranteed lack of future value, then the options are free, whereas the shares will cost you.
If you think there is substantial risk that the shares will have no value, then getting options rather than shares mitigates that risk. You only pay for that mitigation if you actually exercise the options, in which case the cost comes off of a big payoff, rather than an upfront payment out of pocket.
If you think the shares have a guaranteed future value, then the shares are better than the options.
If you think the shares have a guaranteed lack of future value, then the options are free, whereas the shares will cost you.
If you think there is substantial risk that the shares will have no value, then getting options rather than shares mitigates that risk. You only pay for that mitigation if you actually exercise the options, in which case the cost comes off of a big payoff, rather than an upfront payment out of pocket.