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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP 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 KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2017
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Pentax K-500 and Pentax KP, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both are built by Pentax. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and KP (24MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-500 was unveiled 4 years prior to the KP and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the K-500 scores versus the KP in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax KP

 K-500 KP 

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Pentax K-500

 KP K-500 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017November 2013Fresher by 38 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Pentax KP

 K-500 KP 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-500 offers outer dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) while the Pentax KP has specifications of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") having a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-500 and Pentax KP in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the K-500 compared to the KP.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-500 and KP is 64 and 61 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The graphic below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-500 and KP.

As you can tell, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Pentax KP to give greater detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older K-500 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography information
Pentax KP Portrait photography information
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
80
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Street photography camera
Pentax KP as a Street photography camera
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
76
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
above average ISO range (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-500
Sports photography with Pentax KP
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery (710 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/24,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
terrible battery power (390 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-500
Travel photography with Pentax KP
67
better than average battery (710 per charge)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
61
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (390 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-500
Landscape photography with Pentax KP
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (710 CIPA)
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (819,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
terrible battery power (390 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 Vlogging advice
Pentax KP Vlogging advice
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
missing microphone jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Pentax KP
 Pentax K-500Pentax KP
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-500 Pentax KP
Class Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2013-11-27 2017-01-26
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip PRIME M PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51600 819200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 27
Cross type focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.63x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/6000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/24000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 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) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 646 gr (1.42 lbs) 703 gr (1.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1087 not tested
Other
Battery life 710 photos 390 photos
Type of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $600 $747