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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 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
  • Revealed November 2013
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A100
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-500 (16MP) and the A550 (14MP) is very close and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-500 was unveiled 4 years after the A550 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the K-500 grades versus the A550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A550

 K-500 A550 
ReleasedNovember 2013December 2009Newer by 49 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax K-500

 A550 K-500 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k921kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A550

 K-500 A550 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-500 provides external dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) while the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the K-500 against the A550.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-500 and A550 is 64 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by researching specifications. The picture here will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-500 and A550.

To sum up, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Pentax K-500 to render greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more recent K-500 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A550 Portrait photography highlights
74
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography highlights
Sony A550 Street photography highlights
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good high ISO (51,600)
no moving screen
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography factors
Sony A550 Sports photography factors
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery pack (710 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
low battery (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
67
great battery pack (710 CIPA)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
does not feature selfie friendly screen
52
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery (480 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (710 per charge)
66
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
low battery (480 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 Vlogging information
Sony A550 Vlogging information
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone jack
9
can't record video
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony A550
 Pentax K-500Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-11-27 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 51600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 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 file 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 646 grams (1.42 pounds) 632 grams (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 66
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 11.8
DXO Low light score 1087 807
Other
Battery life 710 images 480 images
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $600 $749