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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-7
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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-5 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-500, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both offered by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is very close and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-5 was manufactured 3 years prior to the K-500 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the K-5 matches up vs the K-500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 K-5 K-500 

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

 K-500 K-5 
LaunchedNovember 2013December 2010More modern by 35 months

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

 K-5 K-500 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Display resolution921k921kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 enjoys external measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the K-5 against the K-500.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

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

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

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by researching specifications. The picture here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 and K-500.

To sum up, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of pictures however you have to take the age of the cameras into account. The more aged K-5 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Portrait photography camera
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography information
Pentax K-500 Street photography information
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good ISO range (51,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography information
Pentax K-500 Sports photography information
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
great battery life (710 shots)
has phase detect AF
low fps (6.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 Travel photography features
Pentax K-500 Travel photography features
65
weather proofing
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
67
great battery life (710 shots)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography highlights
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging info
Pentax K-500 Vlogging info
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone jack
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Pentax K-500
 Pentax K-5Pentax K-500
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-5 Pentax K-500
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-12-18 2013-11-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 51600
Highest enhanced ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
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 0.61x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (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 data 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 740g (1.63 lbs) 646g (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 score 82 79
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 13.1
DXO Low light score 1162 1087
Other
Battery life 980 pictures 710 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model 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 Single Single
Price at release $800 $600