Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7
64 Imaging
57 Features
70 Overall
62


84 Imaging
63 Features
71 Overall
66
Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed November 2013
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
- Launched December 2011

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7 Overview
On this page, we will be matching up the Pentax K-500 and Sony NEX-7, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (APS-C).

The K-500 was unveiled 24 months later than the NEX-7 which makes them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summation of how the K-500 scores against the NEX-7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-500 & Sony Alpha NEX-7. The full galleries are provided at Pentax K-500 Gallery & Sony NEX-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony NEX-7
K-500 | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2013 | ![]() | December 2011 | Fresher by 24 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Pentax K-500
NEX-7 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony NEX-7
K-500 | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-500 has 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) whilst the Sony NEX-7 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax K-500 and Sony NEX-7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the K-500 compared to the NEX-7.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-500 and NEX-7 is 64 and 84 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching specs. The visual here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-500 and NEX-7.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony NEX-7 to render greater detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots more aggressively. The newer K-500 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications
Pentax K-500 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-500 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2013-11-27 | 2011-12-13 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | PRIME M | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 51600 | 16000 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
Total lenses | 151 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 921 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/6000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 6.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
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, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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) | 400g (0.88 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 79 | 81 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 24.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.1 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 1087 | 1016 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 710 shots | 430 shots |
Battery type | AA | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 4 x AA | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $600 | $699 |