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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500

Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Pentax K-1 II
(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
Sony A500
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Sony A500

 K-1 II A500 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018August 2009Fresher by 104 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography info
Sony A500 Portrait photography info
86
has manual focus
sensor resolution is great (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Street photography information
Sony A500 Street photography information
70
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
very good high ISO (819,200)
heavier than competition (1,010g)
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Sports photography details
Sony A500 Sports photography details
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery power (670 shots)
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-1 II
Travel photography with Sony A500
53
weather proofing
sensor resolution is great (36MP)
terrible battery power (670 CIPA)
heavier than competition (1,010g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
43
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
low battery power (520 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography factors
Sony A500 Landscape photography factors
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
terrible battery power (670 CIPA)
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (520 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony A500 as a Vlogging camera
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
9
no video recording
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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 II and Sony A500
 Pentax K-1 Mark IISony 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