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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A500

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Pentax K-50
(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
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-30
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Replacement is Sony A560
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A500 Overview

Following is a in-depth assessment of the Pentax K-50 versus Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the K-50 (16MP) and A500 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-50 was launched 4 years after the A500 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the K-50 matches up against the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony A500

 K-50 A500 
LaunchedNovember 2013August 2009More modern by 52 months
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Pentax K-50

 A500 K-50 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony A500

 K-50 A500 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-50 comes with outside 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 Sony A500 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-50 versus Sony A500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the K-50 and the A500.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-50 and A500 is 63 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes purely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-50 and A500.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Pentax K-50 to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher K-50 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
Portrait photography with Sony A500
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-50 as a Street photography camera
Sony A500 as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
heavier than competitors (650g)
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 Sports photography advice
Sony A500 Sports photography advice
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (410 shots)
51
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (520 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-50
Travel photography with Sony A500
56
weather proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
heavier than competitors (650g)
does not have selfie friendly display
43
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (520 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-50 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A500 as a Landscape photography camera
74
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (520 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 Vlogging details
Sony A500 Vlogging details
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of external mic jack
heavier than competitors (650g)
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Sony A500
 Pentax K-50Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-50 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-11-27 2009-08-27
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 51600 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 grams (1.43 pounds) 630 grams (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 64
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 21.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 11.6
DXO Low light rating 1120 772
Other
Battery life 410 images 520 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $610 $638