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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D300S
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-5
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-7, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the D500 (21MP) and K-7 (15MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D500 was unveiled 6 years later than the K-7 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the D500 scores versus the K-7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Pentax K-7

 D500 K-7 
RevealedJanuary 2016October 2009More recent by 77 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k921kClearer display (+1438k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Nikon D500

 K-7 D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-7

 D500 K-7 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D500 has got outside dimensions 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-7 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-7 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the D500 vs the K-7.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and K-7 is 56 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements purely by looking at specs. The graphic below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the D500 and K-7.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Nikon D500 to give extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern D500 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D500
Portrait photography with Pentax K-7
79
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
72
focusing manually
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography information
Pentax K-7 Street photography information
68
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D500
Sports photography with Pentax K-7
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery (1,240 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
69
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 Travel photography details
Pentax K-7 Travel photography details
68
good battery (1,240 per charge)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
64
weather proof
MP count decent (15MP)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography highlights
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
good battery (1,240 per charge)
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 Vlogging details
Pentax K-7 Vlogging details
31
touchscreen
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Pentax K-7
 Nikon D500Pentax K-7
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D500 Pentax K-7
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2016-01-05 2009-10-02
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 5 Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 5568 x 3712 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 51200 2000
Max boosted ISO 1640000 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 153 11
Cross type focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 2,359k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type 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 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
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 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860g (1.90 lbs) 750g (1.65 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 84 61
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 10.6
DXO Low light rating 1324 536
Other
Battery life 1240 shots 980 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots Dual 1
Cost at launch $1,497 $599