Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-500
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Revealed April 2014
- Updated by Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- 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
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-500 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-500, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are offered by Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and K-500 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe K-3 was revealed 5 months after the K-500 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the K-3 matches up vs the K-500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-500 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-3 & Pentax K-500. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax K-3 Gallery & Pentax K-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-500
K-3 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display size | 3.2" | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") | |
Display resolution | 1037k | 921k | Crisper display (+116k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax K-3
K-500 | K-3 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-500
K-3 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2014 | November 2013 | Similar age | |
Focus manually | Dial precise focus | |||
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Selfie screen | Neither comes with selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 comes with external dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-3 compared to the K-500.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and K-500 is 59 and 64 respectively.
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The image here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 and K-500.
Clearly, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax K-3 to offer extra detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images a good deal more aggressively.
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Pentax |
Model type | Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-500 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2014-04-10 | 2013-11-27 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Prime III | PRIME M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 366.6mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 51200 | 51600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 27 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 151 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 8.0 frames per sec | 6.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180s | 1/180s |
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, 30p, 25p, 24p) | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 800 gr (1.76 lbs) | 646 gr (1.42 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 80 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.4 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 1216 | 1087 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 560 photos | 710 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Two | Single |
Pricing at release | $639 | $600 |