Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-500
59 Imaging
64 Features
85 Overall
72
64 Imaging
57 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 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide 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).
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe 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.
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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
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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 |