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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony SLT-A35 front
Portability
69
Imaging
56
Features
70
Overall
61

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35 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
  • Introduced November 2013
Sony A35
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 415g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Earlier Model is Sony A33
  • Successor is Sony A37
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-500 (16MP) and the A35 (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-500 was announced 2 years later than the A35 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the K-500 grades versus the A35 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A35

 K-500 A35 
RevealedNovember 2013September 2011More recent by 27 months

Reasons to pick Sony A35 over the Pentax K-500

 A35 K-500 

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A35

 K-500 A35 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution921k921kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-500 has got outer dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) whilst the Sony A35 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the K-500 against the A35.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the K-500 and A35 is 64 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements simply by looking at specs. The visual below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-500 and A35.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photos but you really should factor the release date of the products into consideration. The more recent K-500 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
Portrait photography with Sony A35
74
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography info
Sony A35 Street photography info
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great high ISO (51,600)
screen is fixed
71
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others (415g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A35 as a Sports photography camera
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (710 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery life (440 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography info
Sony A35 Travel photography info
67
better than average battery pack (710 shots)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
58
lighter than others (415g)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (440 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 Landscape photography features
Sony A35 Landscape photography features
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (710 CIPA)
69
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
terrible battery life (440 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A35 as a Vlogging camera
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external mic support
36
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic port
lighter than others (415 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony A35
 Pentax K-500Sony SLT-A35
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-500 Sony SLT-A35
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-11-27 2011-09-20
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
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 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 646g (1.42 lbs) 415g (0.91 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 74
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 12.7
DXO Low light rating 1087 763
Other
Battery life 710 pictures 440 pictures
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $600 $598