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Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-500

Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Superseded the Pentax K-1
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
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Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Below is a extensive overview of the Pentax K-1 II and Pentax K-500, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are produced by Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the K-1 II (36MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the K-1 II (Full frame) and K-500 (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.

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The K-1 II was announced 4 years later than the K-500 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the K-1 II grades against the K-500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Pentax K-500

 K-1 II K-500 
LaunchedFebruary 2018November 2013More recent by 52 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax K-1 II

 K-500 K-1 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 II and Pentax K-500

 K-1 II K-500 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-1 II provides physical measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-1 II and Pentax K-500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the K-1 II versus the K-500.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the K-1 II and K-500 is 55 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements purely by checking a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 II and K-500.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-1 II with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-1 II will give extra detail with its extra 20MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern K-1 II should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography advice
86
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Street photography information
Pentax K-500 Street photography information
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
good ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than others (1,010g)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
above average ISO range (51,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Sports photography factors
Pentax K-500 Sports photography factors
77
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (4.4 frames/s)
not so great battery power (670 CIPA)
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery (710 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Travel photography information
Pentax K-500 Travel photography information
53
environment sealing
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
not so great battery power (670 shots)
more heavy than others (1,010g)
screen is not selfie friendly
67
better than average battery (710 CIPA)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography features
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography features
82
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (819,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery power (670 CIPA)
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Vlogging factors
Pentax K-500 Vlogging factors
32
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than others (1,010g)
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
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Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 II and Pentax K-500
 Pentax K-1 Mark IIPentax K-500
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-1 Mark II Pentax K-500
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2018-02-22 2013-11-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME IV PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 7360 x 4912 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 819200 51600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 33 11
Cross type focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF4 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.4 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 gr (2.23 lb) 646 gr (1.42 lb)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 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 670 photos 710 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual One
Pricing at launch $1,737 $600