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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A380

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A380 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
  • Released November 2013
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A350
  • New Model is Sony A390
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A380 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Pentax K-500 versus Sony A380, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-500 (16MP) and the A380 (14MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-500 was introduced 4 years later than the A380 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the K-500 matches up versus the A380 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A380

 K-500 A380 
IntroducedNovember 2013August 2009Fresher by 52 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Pentax K-500

 A380 K-500 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A380

 K-500 A380 
Manually focus More exact focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-500 enjoys external dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) whilst the Sony A380 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-500 versus Sony A380 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the K-500 versus the A380.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-500 and A380 is 64 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through specifications. The photograph underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-500 and A380.

To sum up, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Pentax K-500 to produce extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern K-500 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography features
Sony A380 Portrait photography features
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
72
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography details
Sony A380 Street photography details
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
77
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography info
Sony A380 Sports photography info
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
good battery pack (710 shots)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography features
Sony A380 Travel photography features
67
good battery pack (710 shots)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
54
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (500 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A380 Landscape photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (710 CIPA)
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
not so great battery pack (500 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A380 as a Vlogging camera
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony A380
 Pentax K-500Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-11-27 2009-08-24
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 51600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology 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
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 646g (1.42 pounds) 519g (1.14 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 67
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 11.8
DXO Low light rating 1087 614
Other
Battery life 710 photos 500 photos
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $600 $899