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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-30
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here is a complete assessment of the Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and they are both created by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-50 was announced around the same time to the K-500 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the K-50 grades against the K-500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Pentax K-500

 K-50 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax K-50

 K-500 K-50 

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Pentax K-500

 K-50 K-500 
RevealedNovember 2013November 2013Similar generation
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-50 features outer dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

See the Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the K-50 against the K-500.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K-50 and K-500 is 63 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-50 and K-500.

As you can see, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs but you need to factor the release date of the products into consideration.

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-50 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography factors
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-50 Street photography features
Pentax K-500 Street photography features
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
good ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
more heavy than competitors in class (650g)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
above average ISO range (51,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-50
Sports photography with Pentax K-500
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (710 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-50 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-500 Travel photography advice
56
environment sealing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
more heavy than competitors in class (650g)
display is not selfie friendly
67
better than average battery pack (710 per charge)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-50
Landscape photography with Pentax K-500
74
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (710 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 Vlogging features
Pentax K-500 Vlogging features
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competitors in class (650g)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic socket
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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Pentax K-500
 Pentax K-50Pentax K-500
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-50 Pentax K-500
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-11-27 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME M PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51600 51600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
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
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology 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% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 gr (1.43 lb) 646 gr (1.42 lb)
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 Overall rating 79 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 13.1
DXO Low light rating 1120 1087
Other
Battery life 410 photos 710 photos
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery ID D-LI109 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $610 $600