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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A580

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
82
Overall
67

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A580 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
  • Released November 2013
Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released May 2011
  • Older Model is Sony A100
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A580 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Pentax K-500 and Sony A580, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-500 (16MP) and the A580 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-500 was revealed 2 years later than the A580 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the K-500 grades vs the A580 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A580

 K-500 A580 
ReleasedNovember 2013May 2011Fresher by 31 months

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Pentax K-500

 A580 K-500 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k921kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A580

 K-500 A580 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax K-500 has got physical dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) and the Sony A580 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-500 and Sony A580 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the K-500 against the A580.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A580 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the K-500 and A580 is 64 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-500 and A580.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same MP and you should expect similar quality of photos although you may want to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The younger K-500 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography advice
Sony A580 Portrait photography advice
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
74
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography information
Sony A580 Street photography information
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
very good high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
75
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography features
Sony A580 Sports photography features
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
good battery power (710 per charge)
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
great battery pack (1,050 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography details
Sony A580 Travel photography details
67
good battery power (710 shots)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
61
great battery pack (1,050 per charge)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A580 Landscape photography highlights
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,600)
exports RAW files
good battery power (710 shots)
74
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (1,050 per charge)
2 card slots
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 Vlogging highlights
Sony A580 Vlogging highlights
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
missing microphone port
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony A580
 Pentax K-500Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-11-27 2011-05-26
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor PRIME M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes 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
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 lbs) 599g (1.32 lbs)
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 Overall rating 79 80
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 13.3
DXO Low light rating 1087 1121
Other
Battery life 710 shots 1050 shots
Battery style AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 Two
Launch pricing $600 $848