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Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-5R 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
  • Launched November 2013
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5T
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Pentax K-500 versus Sony NEX-5R, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-500 (16MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is very close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-500 was announced 16 months after the NEX-5R making them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a brief summation of how the K-500 matches up vs the NEX-5R in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony NEX-5R

 K-500 NEX-5R 
LaunchedNovember 2013August 2012More modern by 16 months
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Pentax K-500

 NEX-5R K-500 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony NEX-5R

 K-500 NEX-5R 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-500 has got physical measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5R has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-500 versus Sony NEX-5R in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the K-500 against the NEX-5R.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-500 and NEX-5R is 64 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-500 and NEX-5R.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of files but you have to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher K-500 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography factors
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
74
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography features
Sony NEX-5R Street photography features
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
80
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-500
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
great battery (710 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
68
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography advice
67
great battery (710 shots)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
73
supports focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography advice
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (710 per charge)
75
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-500
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5R
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
31
touchscreen
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone support
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony NEX-5R
 Pentax K-500Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-500 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-11-27 2012-08-29
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor PRIME M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51600 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 99
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Available lenses 151 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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) 276g (0.61 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 78
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 13.1
DXO Low light rating 1087 910
Other
Battery life 710 images 330 images
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NPFW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $600 $750