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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
92
Overall
82

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Previous Model is Sony A99
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A99 II Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Pentax K-500 and Sony A99 II, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the K-500 (APS-C) and A99 II (Full frame) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-500 was revealed 3 years earlier than the A99 II which is a fairly serious 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 Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the K-500 grades versus the A99 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A99 II

 K-500 A99 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Pentax K-500

 A99 II K-500 
RevealedSeptember 2016November 2013Newer by 34 months
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k921kCrisper display (+308k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A99 II

 K-500 A99 II 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-500 enjoys exterior dimensions 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 A99 II has dimensions of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") along with a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-500 and Sony A99 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the K-500 and the A99 II.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the K-500 and A99 II is 64 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through specs. The image here may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-500 and A99 II.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-500 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A99 II will produce more detail because of its extra 26MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged K-500 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography factors
Sony A99 II Portrait photography factors
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
85
you can focus manually
high sensor resolution (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography highlights
Sony A99 II Street photography highlights
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography features
Sony A99 II Sports photography features
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
great battery (710 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high sensor resolution (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography information
Sony A99 II Travel photography information
67
great battery (710 CIPA)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
70
environment proof
has bluetooth
high sensor resolution (42 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery pack (490 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-500
Landscape photography with Sony A99 II
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (710 shots)
81
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high sensor resolution (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
not so great battery pack (490 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A99 II as a Vlogging camera
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic jack
78
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic socket
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony A99 II
 Pentax K-500Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-500 Sony Alpha A99 II
Category Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2013-11-27 2016-09-19
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip PRIME M Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 42 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 51600 25600
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 399
Cross focus points 9 79
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/6000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 646g (1.42 pounds) 849g (1.87 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 92
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 13.4
DXO Low light score 1087 2317
Other
Battery life 710 pictures 490 pictures
Battery type AA NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Card slots 1 Two
Pricing at release $600 $3,198