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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 Key Specs

Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Released January 2008
  • New Model is Sony A330
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Pentax K-500 versus Sony A300, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and A300 (10MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-500 was announced 5 years later than the A300 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the K-500 scores against the A300 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A300

 K-500 A300 
ReleasedNovember 2013January 2008More recent by 71 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax K-500

 A300 K-500 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A300

 K-500 A300 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax K-500 features exterior dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) while the Sony A300 has sizing of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-500 versus Sony A300 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the K-500 against the A300.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-500 and A300 is 64 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements only by checking out technical specs. The visual here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-500 and A300.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax K-500 to provide more detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more modern K-500 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography advice
Sony A300 Portrait photography advice
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW files
59
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography details
Sony A300 Street photography details
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
74
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography details
Sony A300 Sports photography details
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery pack (710 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
54
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography details
Sony A300 Travel photography details
67
great battery pack (710 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
does not have a selfie friendly screen
45
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A300 Landscape photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (710 shots)
57
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 Vlogging factors
Sony A300 Vlogging factors
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic support
9
no video recording
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony A300
 Pentax K-500Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-11-27 2008-01-30
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 -
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 51600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
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
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display 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 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 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) 632g (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 64
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 11.4
DXO Low light rating 1087 538
Other
Battery life 710 images -
Style of battery AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $600 $0