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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Old Model is Nikon D300S
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon D500 versus Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the D500 (21MP) and K-30 (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D500 was unveiled 3 years after the K-30 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the D500 scores against the K-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Pentax K-30

 D500 K-30 
LaunchedJanuary 2016October 2012Newer by 39 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k921kCrisper screen (+1438k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Nikon D500

 K-30 D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-30

 D500 K-30 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon D500 enjoys outer measurements of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") having a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D500 versus Pentax K-30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the D500 against the K-30.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and K-30 is 56 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D500 and K-30.

As you can tell, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon D500 to offer you extra detail having an extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The newer D500 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
good resolution (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography factors
Pentax K-30 Street photography factors
68
tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
environment proof
good ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good resolution (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery pack (1,240 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
not so great battery (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 Travel photography details
Pentax K-30 Travel photography details
68
better than average battery pack (1,240 shots)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
good resolution (21 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
60
weather sealing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography features
77
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
good resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery pack (1,240 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
31
touchscreen capability
offers face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
missing external microphone support
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Pentax K-30
 Nikon D500Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D500 Pentax K-30
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2016-01-05 2012-10-29
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 5 Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 1640000 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 153 11
Cross focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,359k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 860 grams (1.90 lb) 650 grams (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 84 79
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 13.0
DXO Low light score 1324 1129
Other
Battery life 1240 pictures 410 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 1
Retail pricing $1,497 $525