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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Previous Model is Nikon D300S
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the D500 (21MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the D500 (APS-C) and K-1 (Full frame) posses totally different sensor size.

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The D500 was introduced within a month of the K-1 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the D500 scores versus the K-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Pentax K-1

 D500 K-1 
Screen resolution2359k1037kCrisper screen (+1322k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Nikon D500

 K-1 D500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-1

 D500 K-1 
LaunchedJanuary 2016February 2016Similar age
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen size3.2"3.2"Same screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon D500 offers exterior measurements of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the D500 against the K-1.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D500 and K-1 is 56 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by looking at specs. The visual here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the D500 and K-1.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D500 using its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-1 will give greater detail using its extra 15 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography info
79
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
85
focusing manually
MP count fantastic (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Street photography highlights
68
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch to focus
environment sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
70
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proof
above average ISO range (204,800)
heavier than average (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-1 Sports photography advice
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (1,240 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.4 fps)
terrible battery power (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-1 Travel photography factors
68
better than average battery life (1,240 per charge)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
megapixel count decent (21MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
environment proof
MP count fantastic (36 megapixels)
terrible battery power (760 CIPA)
heavier than average (1,010 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography advice
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery life (1,240 shots)
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
81
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
exports RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
terrible battery power (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-1 Vlogging factors
31
screen is touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than average (1,010 grams)
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Pentax K-1
 Nikon D500Pentax K-1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D500 Pentax K-1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2016-01-05 2016-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 5 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 36MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 51200 204800
Maximum boosted ISO 1640000 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 153 33
Cross focus points 99 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 2,359k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 4.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 860g (1.90 lb) 1010g (2.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 84 96
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 14.6
DXO Low light score 1324 3280
Other
Battery life 1240 images 760 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Two Two
Launch cost $1,497 $1,499