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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed October 2012
  • Later Model is Pentax K-50
Pentax K-500
(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
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-500, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are sold by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-30 was announced 13 months prior to the K-500 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the K-30 matches up versus the K-500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax K-500

 K-30 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax K-30

 K-500 K-30 
LaunchedNovember 2013October 2012More recent by 13 months

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-500

 K-30 K-500 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution921k921kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-30 comes with outside measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the K-30 versus the K-500.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and K-500 is 63 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and K-500.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of pictures but you will need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The older K-30 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography factors
Pentax K-500 Street photography factors
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
very good ISO range (51,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-500 Sports photography factors
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery power (710 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-30
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
60
weather sealing
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery life (410 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
67
great battery power (710 CIPA)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography advice
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,600)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-500
 Pentax K-30Pentax K-500
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-30 Pentax K-500
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-10-29 2013-11-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime M PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 51600
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) 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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 gr (1.43 pounds) 646 gr (1.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 13.1
DXO Low light rating 1129 1087
Other
Battery life 410 photos 710 photos
Battery form Battery Pack AA
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $525 $600