We investigate how the metric entropy of C(X)-valued operators influences t
he entropy behaviour of special operators, such as integral or matrix opera
tors. Various applications are given, to the eigenvalue distributions of op
erators and to the metric entropy of convex hulls of precompact sets in Ban
ach spaces, for example. In particular, we provide metric entropy condition
s on operators sufficient to ensure that the operators are in certain Schat
ten classes.