Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500
55 Imaging
77 Features
82 Overall
79


63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 819200
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF4 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Launched February 2018
- Earlier Model is Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Announced August 2009
- Replacement is Sony A560

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 Overview
On this page, we are looking at the Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the K-1 II (36MP) and A500 (12MP) and the K-1 II (Full frame) and A500 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

The K-1 II was brought out 8 years later than the A500 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the K-1 II matches up versus the A500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-1 Mark II & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax K-1 II Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Sony A500
K-1 II | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2018 | ![]() | August 2009 | Fresher by 104 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Display dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+807k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Pentax K-1 II
A500 | K-1 II |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A500
K-1 II | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-1 II offers outer measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Sony A500 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-1 II versus the A500.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 II and A500 is 55 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's tough to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by checking out specs. The photograph underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 II and A500.
As you can plainly see, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The K-1 II featuring a larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-1 II will show greater detail having its extra 24MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent K-1 II is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 Specifications
Pentax K-1 Mark II | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-1 Mark II | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2018-02-22 | 2009-08-27 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | PRIME IV | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4272 x 2848 |
Max native ISO | 819200 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 33 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF4 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 1,037k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.4fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/200 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 1010 gr (2.23 pounds) | 630 gr (1.39 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 64 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 670 photos | 520 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Dual | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $1,737 | $638 |