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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Introduced May 2012
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-500, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are offered by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is relatively comparable and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-01 was manufactured 18 months before the K-500 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the K-01 grades versus the K-500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Pentax K-500

 K-01 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax K-01

 K-500 K-01 
IntroducedNovember 2013May 2012More modern by 18 months

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-500

 K-01 K-500 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-01 enjoys external measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

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Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the K-01 against the K-500.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-01 and K-500 is 76 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizes just by checking out specifications. The picture below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-01 and K-500.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of photographs however you might want to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The more aged K-01 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-01
Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Street photography highlights
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
more heavy than competitors in class (561g)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
above average high ISO (51,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery life (540 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery (710 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-01
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
65
great battery life (540 CIPA)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than competitors in class (561 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
67
better than average battery (710 per charge)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (540 per charge)
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors in class (561 grams)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic socket
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-500
 Pentax K-01Pentax K-500
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-01 Pentax K-500
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-05-30 2013-11-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 51600
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 81 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 561 grams (1.24 pounds) 646 grams (1.42 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.9 13.1
DXO Low light rating 1135 1087
Other
Battery life 540 photos 710 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $899 $600