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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68
Pentax K-5 IIs front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-5
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced November 2013
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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Pentax K-5 IIs and Pentax K-500, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are created by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-5 IIs (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is pretty similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-5 IIs was brought out 5 months earlier than the K-500 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise summary of how the K-5 IIs grades versus the K-500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Pentax K-500

 K-5 IIs K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 K-500 K-5 IIs 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 IIs and Pentax K-500

 K-5 IIs K-500 
AnnouncedJune 2013November 2013Similar age
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-5 IIs features outside dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

See the Pentax K-5 IIs and Pentax K-500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the K-5 IIs and the K-500.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-5 IIs and K-500 is 60 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The visual here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 IIs and K-500.

As you can tell, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you can expect similar quality of photos however you should always take the age of the products into consideration.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography details
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography details
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
74
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Street photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
no articulating screen
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography details
Pentax K-500 Sports photography details
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery pack (710 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
65
weather proof
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
67
good battery pack (710 per charge)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography features
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography features
79
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
saves RAW files
weather proof
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 IIs and Pentax K-500
 Pentax K-5 IIsPentax K-500
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-5 IIs Pentax K-500
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-06-04 2013-11-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II 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 area 372.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 51600
Highest enhanced ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display 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 0.61x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 760 grams (1.68 lbs) 646 grams (1.42 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 82 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.9 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 13.1
DXO Low light rating 1208 1087
Other
Battery life 980 shots 710 shots
Style 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 recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $749 $600