Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300
64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62


64 Imaging
49 Features
45 Overall
47
Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-500 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A300. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-500 Gallery and Sony A300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A300
K-500 | A300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | November 2013 | ![]() | January 2008 | More recent by 71 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax K-500
A300 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A300 Specifications
Pentax K-500 | Sony 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 |