Pentax 645D vs Sony A500
50 Imaging
74 Features
52 Overall
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63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Pentax 645D vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 40MP - Medium format Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 1600
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- No Video
- Pentax 645AF2 Mount
- 1480g - 156 x 117 x 119mm
- Announced March 2010
- Replacement is Pentax 645Z
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Revealed August 2009
- Updated by Sony A560
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Pentax 645D vs Sony A500 Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Pentax 645D vs Sony A500, former being a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the 645D (40MP) and A500 (12MP) and the 645D (Medium format) and A500 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.
Photography GlossaryThe 645D was introduced 7 months later than the A500 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax 645D being a Large SLR camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going through a complete comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the 645D grades vs the A500 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Pentax 645D vs Sony A500 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax 645D & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax 645D Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Sony A500
| 645D | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | March 2010 | August 2009 | Fresher by 7 months | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Pentax 645D
| A500 | 645D | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Pentax 645D and Sony A500
| 645D | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | More accurate focus | |||
| Screen dimension | 3" | 3" | Identical screen sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Pentax 645D vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax 645D provides outside dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") along with a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs) while the Sony A500 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax 645D vs Sony A500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the 645D against the A500.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the 645D and A500 is 50 and 63 respectively.
Pentax 645D vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizing simply by researching specs. The graphic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the 645D and A500.
All in all, the two cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The 645D using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax 645D will result in extra detail using its extra 28MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The newer 645D is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.
Pentax 645D vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax 645D vs Sony A500 Specifications
| Pentax 645D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax 645D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
| Type | Pro DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Announced | 2010-03-10 | 2009-08-27 |
| Body design | Large SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Prime II | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Medium format | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 44 x 33mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 1,452.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 40MP | 12MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 7264 x 5440 | 4272 x 2848 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 200 | 200 |
| RAW files | ||
| Lowest enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Pentax 645AF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Amount of lenses | 6 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 0.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 921k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display technology | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 98 percent | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.85x | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | 1/125 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Maximum video resolution | None | None |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 1480g (3.26 lb) | 630g (1.39 lb) |
| Dimensions | 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 82 | 64 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 24.6 | 21.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 12.6 | 11.6 |
| DXO Low light score | 1262 | 772 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 800 shots | 520 shots |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI90 | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | Two | One |
| Retail cost | $4,000 | $638 |