Clicky

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K20D 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 K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced June 2008
  • Succeeded the Pentax K10D
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K20D Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Pentax K-500 and Pentax K20D, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Advanced DSLR and they are both produced by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-500 (16MP) and the K20D (15MP) is fairly close and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The K-500 was announced 5 years later than the K20D and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the K-500 matches up versus the K20D with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax K20D

 K-500 K20D 
AnnouncedNovember 2013June 2008More recent by 67 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Pentax K-500

 K20D K-500 

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Pentax K20D

 K-500 K20D 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax K-500 features outer 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 K20D has sizing of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-500 and Pentax K20D in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the K-500 compared to the K20D.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the K-500 and K20D is 64 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements purely by researching technical specs. The visual below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-500 and K20D.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax K-500 to render greater detail with its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer K-500 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
Portrait photography with Pentax K20D
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
71
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography details
Pentax K20D Street photography details
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good high ISO (51,600)
screen is fixed
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography info
Pentax K20D Sports photography info
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery life (710 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography details
Pentax K20D Travel photography details
67
better than average battery life (710 shots)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
64
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 Landscape photography features
Pentax K20D Landscape photography features
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (710 per charge)
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 Vlogging info
Pentax K20D Vlogging info
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
9
no video shooting
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Pentax K20D
 Pentax K-500Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-500 Pentax K20D
Type Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2013-11-27 2008-06-25
Body design Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME M -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 51600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 646g (1.42 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 65
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 11.1
DXO Low light rating 1087 639
Other
Battery life 710 photos -
Style of battery AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Launch price $600 $700