Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r
64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62
![Pentax K-500 front Pentax K-500 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-500/Pentax-K-500-front.jpg)
![Pentax K-r front Pentax K-r front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Pentax-K-r-ek-fs.jpg)
67 Imaging
53 Features
52 Overall
52
Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs
(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
(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
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
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).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-500 and Pentax K-r. The full galleries are available at Pentax K-500 Gallery and Pentax K-r Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax K-r
K-500 | K-r | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2013 | ![]() | March 2011 | Newer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display measurements |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Identical 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 Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
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 Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-500-vs-Pentax-K-r-size-comparison.jpg)
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 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-500-vs-Pentax-K-r-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
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 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-K-500-vs-Pentax-K-r-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-500-vs-Pentax-K-r-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-r Specifications
Pentax K-500 | Pentax 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 |