Pentax K-500 vs Sony A7R III
64 Imaging
57 Features
70 Overall
62


63 Imaging
77 Features
93 Overall
83
Pentax K-500 vs Sony A7R III 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
- Introduced November 2013
(Full Review)
- 42MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
- Revealed October 2017
- Replaced the Sony A7R II
- Newer Model is Sony A7R IV

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A7R III Overview
Here, we will be analyzing the Pentax K-500 vs Sony A7R III, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and A7R III (42MP) and the K-500 (APS-C) and A7R III (Full frame) posses totally different sensor sizing.

The K-500 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the A7R III which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a concise overview of how the K-500 scores versus the A7R III in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A7R III Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-500 and Sony Alpha A7R III. The full galleries are available at Pentax K-500 Gallery and Sony A7R III Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A7R III
K-500 | A7R III |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Pentax K-500
A7R III | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | October 2017 | ![]() | November 2013 | Newer by 47 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer screen (+519k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A7R III
K-500 | A7R III | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Pentax K-500 vs Sony A7R III Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-500 features outside measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) whilst the Sony A7R III has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs).
Compare the Pentax K-500 vs Sony A7R III in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the K-500 and the A7R III.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-500 and A7R III is 64 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A7R III Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out specs. The image below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-500 and A7R III.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-500 having a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh harder and the Sony A7R III will provide extra detail having an extra 26MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged K-500 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A7R III Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A7R III Specifications
Pentax K-500 | Sony Alpha A7R III | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-500 | Sony Alpha A7R III |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Pro Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2013-11-27 | 2017-10-25 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | PRIME M | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.1mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 42MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 7952 x 5304 |
Highest native ISO | 51600 | 32000 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 102400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Min enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 425 |
Cross focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
Available lenses | 151 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 921 thousand dots | 1,440 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,686 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.78x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/6000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless | Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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) | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 646g (1.42 lb) | 657g (1.45 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 79 | 100 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 26.0 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.1 | 14.7 |
DXO Low light score | 1087 | 3523 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 710 shots | 650 shots |
Style of battery | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 4 x AA | NP-FZ100 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one) |
Card slots | 1 | Two |
Pricing at release | $600 | $2,800 |