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Pentax K-500 vs Sony QX1

Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
62
Features
48
Overall
56

Pentax K-500 vs Sony QX1 Key Specs

Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Revealed September 2014
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony QX1 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Pentax K-500 versus Sony QX1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Lens-style by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-500 (16MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is very comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-500 was launched 9 months earlier than the QX1 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the K-500 matches up versus the QX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony QX1

 K-500 QX1 
Display size3""Larger display (+3")
Display resolution921k0kSharper display (+921k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Pentax K-500

 QX1 K-500 
RevealedSeptember 2014November 2013Newer by 9 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony QX1

 K-500 QX1 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax K-500 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-500 has outside measurements 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 QX1 has measurements of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-500 versus Sony QX1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the K-500 versus the QX1.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-500 and QX1 is 64 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by checking out specs. The picture here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-500 and QX1.

All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Sony QX1 to provide greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged K-500 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
Portrait photography with Sony QX1
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW formats
65
focusing manually
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
no manual control
can't use external flash
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-500
Street photography with Sony QX1
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
69
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
supports touch to focus
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (216g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography features
Sony QX1 Sports photography features
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery (710 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
56
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (440 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography details
Sony QX1 Travel photography details
67
better than average battery (710 shots)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
71
great battery (440 shots)
supports touch to focus
good resolution (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (216 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-500
Landscape photography with Sony QX1
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (710 CIPA)
63
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
great battery (440 per charge)
screen is somewhat small ( inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-500
Vlogging with Sony QX1
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone support
32
touch screen
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than others in class (216 grams)
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony QX1
 Pentax K-500Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-500 Sony Alpha QX1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Lens-style
Revealed 2013-11-27 2014-09-03
Physical type Compact SLR Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor PRIME M Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 51600 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 25
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Available lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 1.6
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches -
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 0 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
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 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 646g (1.42 lbs) 216g (0.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 1087 not tested
Other
Battery life 710 shots 440 shots
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $600 $500