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Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7

Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-7 front
Portability
84
Imaging
63
Features
71
Overall
66

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7 Key Specs

Pentax K-500
(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
Sony NEX-7
(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
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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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony NEX-7

 K-500 NEX-7 
LaunchedNovember 2013December 2011Fresher by 24 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Pentax K-500

 NEX-7 K-500 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony NEX-7

 K-500 NEX-7 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Screen resolution921k921kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-7 as a Portrait photography camera
74
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW files
77
focusing manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography advice
Sony NEX-7 Street photography advice
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great high ISO (51,600)
no moving screen
76
screen tilts
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-7 Sports photography advice
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
great battery pack (710 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
61
decent megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (430 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-7 Travel photography info
67
great battery pack (710 CIPA)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
70
great battery pack (430 CIPA)
decent megapixels (24MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-500
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-7
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (710 CIPA)
72
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
decent megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (430 shots)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-7 Vlogging factors
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic support
35
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony NEX-7
 Pentax K-500Sony 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