Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550
64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62
63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57
Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(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
(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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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).
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe 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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This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-500 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The full galleries are provided at Pentax K-500 Gallery and Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A550
| K-500 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | November 2013 |  | December 2009 | Newer by 49 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax K-500
| A550 | K-500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting display |
| Display resolution | 922k |  | 921k | Sharper display (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A550
| K-500 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Dial exact focus | ||
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 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.
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.
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-500 and A550 is 64 and 63 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A550 Specifications
| Pentax K-500 | Sony 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 |