The smaller events at the smaller circuit stops (WSOP and WPT) have smaller fields. They don't have the glory (tv) and most of the big name players skip them though.
My $1000 WSOP event last year had 971 people in it. There's a number I will never forget.
But anything tied to the WSOP in Vegas is going to be inflated like that. If you want a smaller field, hit one of the circuit tourneys.