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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and Q (12MP) and the K-500 (APS-C) and Q (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-500 was launched 2 years later than the Q and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the K-500 grades against the Q for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax Q

 K-500 Q 
ReleasedNovember 2013June 2011Fresher by 30 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax K-500

 Q K-500 

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Pentax Q

 K-500 Q 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-500 enjoys exterior measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) and the Pentax Q has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the K-500 against the Q.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-500 and Q is 64 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by seeing specifications. The visual below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-500 and Q.

Plainly, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-500 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Pentax K-500 will produce greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer K-500 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q Portrait photography factors
74
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW files
45
manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
very good high ISO (51,600)
screen is fixed
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-500
Sports photography with Pentax Q
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (710 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-500
Travel photography with Pentax Q
67
better than average battery power (710 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
57
lighter than competition in class (180g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,600)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (710 per charge)
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q as a Vlogging camera
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (180g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone port
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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Pentax Q
 Pentax K-500Pentax Q
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-500 Pentax Q
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-11-27 2011-06-23
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME M -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 51600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Amount of lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/2000 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 646g (1.42 lbs) 180g (0.40 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 47
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 11.1
DXO Low light rating 1087 189
Other
Battery life 710 photographs 230 photographs
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI68
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $600 $695