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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 front
Portability
66
Imaging
49
Features
38
Overall
44

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200 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
Sony A200
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 572g - 131 x 99 x 71mm
  • Announced July 2008
  • Updated by Sony A230
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and A200 (10MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-500 was released 5 years later than the A200 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a brief view of how the K-500 grades against the A200 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A200

 K-500 A200 
AnnouncedNovember 2013July 2008More recent by 66 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A200 over the Pentax K-500

 A200 K-500 

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A200

 K-500 A200 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-500 provides outer measurements 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 Sony A200 has measurements of 131mm x 99mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 2.8") along with a weight of 572 grams (1.26 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the K-500 compared to the A200.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K-500 and A200 is 64 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-500 and A200.

Clearly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Pentax K-500 to result in extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The more recent K-500 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography advice
Sony A200 Portrait photography advice
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
53
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography details
Sony A200 Street photography details
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great high ISO (51,600)
fixed screen
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography factors
Sony A200 Sports photography factors
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
great battery life (710 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography info
Sony A200 Travel photography info
67
great battery life (710 per charge)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
46
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-500
Landscape photography with Sony A200
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (710 CIPA)
53
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-500
Vlogging with Sony A200
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
9
no video
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A200 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony A200
 Pentax K-500Sony Alpha DSLR-A200
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A200
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-11-27 2008-07-17
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME M -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 51600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone 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 646 gr (1.42 pounds) 572 gr (1.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 131 x 99 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 63
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 11.3
DXO Low light rating 1087 521
Other
Battery life 710 pictures -
Battery format AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $600 $100