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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

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
  • Launched November 2013
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both are offered by Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and K-r (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-500 was revealed 2 years after the K-r which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the K-500 grades vs the K-r in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 K-500 K-r 
RevealedNovember 2013March 2011Newer by 34 months

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

 K-r K-500 

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

 K-500 K-r 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Display resolution921k921kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-500 provides outside dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has specifications of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the K-500 compared to the K-r.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-500 and K-r is 64 and 67 respectively.

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

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specifications. The picture underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-500 and K-r.

To sum up, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Pentax K-500 to result in more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more modern K-500 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-r Portrait photography info
74
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography features
Pentax K-r Street photography features
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
very good high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography information
Pentax K-r Sports photography information
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
great battery (710 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
55
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography information
Pentax K-r Travel photography information
67
great battery (710 CIPA)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
47
built-in flash
terrible battery power (470 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-r Landscape photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (710 CIPA)
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
terrible battery power (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-r Vlogging factors
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
missing microphone port
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Pentax K-r
 Pentax K-500Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-500 Pentax K-r
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-11-27 2011-03-11
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME M Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 51600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual 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, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 646 grams (1.42 lb) 598 grams (1.32 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 72
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 12.4
DXO Low light rating 1087 755
Other
Battery life 710 pictures 470 pictures
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $600 $1,100