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Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
60
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Released August 2020
  • Newer Model is Panasonic S5 II
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
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Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Panasonic S5 and Pentax K-500, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the S5 (24MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the S5 (Full frame) and K-500 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The S5 was unveiled 6 years later than the K-500 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the S5 grades versus the K-500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Pentax K-500

 S5 K-500 
ReleasedAugust 2020November 2013Fresher by 82 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1840k921kClearer display (+919k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic S5

 K-500 S5 

Common features in the Panasonic S5 and Pentax K-500

 S5 K-500 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display dimensions3.0"3"Equal display sizing

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S5 features outer measurements of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic S5 and Pentax K-500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the S5 compared to the K-500.

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S5 and K-500 is 60 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by going through specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S5 and K-500.

All in all, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S5 having a larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Panasonic S5 will show more detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher S5 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S5 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography information
86
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
features touch to focus
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
very good ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
lack of phase detect auto focus
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
good battery power (710 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S5
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
79
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
features touch to focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
display is selfie friendly
67
good battery power (710 per charge)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
86
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
good sized screen (3.0")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,600)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S5
Vlogging with Pentax K-500
79
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone socket
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of mic port
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Panasonic S5 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S5 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5Pentax K-500
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Pentax K-500
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2020-08-14 2013-11-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 51200 51600
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 225 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 31 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.0 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,840k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 714g (1.57 pounds) 646g (1.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 440 shots 710 shots
Battery form Battery Pack AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two 1
Cost at launch $1,999 $600