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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A37

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony SLT-A37 front
Portability
67
Imaging
57
Features
65
Overall
60

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A37 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
  • Released November 2013
Sony A37
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.6" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched May 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A35
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A37 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Pentax K-500 and Sony A37, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-500 (16MP) and the A37 (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-500 was unveiled 19 months later than the A37 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief view of how the K-500 matches up versus the A37 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A37

 K-500 A37 
LaunchedNovember 2013May 2012Fresher by 19 months
Display dimensions3"2.6"Larger display (+0.4")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Pentax K-500

 A37 K-500 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A37

 K-500 A37 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-500 comes with exterior 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) and the Sony A37 has dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-500 and Sony A37 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the K-500 compared to the A37.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A37 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the K-500 and A37 is 64 and 67 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A37 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by checking technical specs. The photograph below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-500 and A37.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP therefore you can expect similar quality of files although you have to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The fresher K-500 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A37 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A37 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography information
Sony A37 Portrait photography information
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-500
Street photography with Sony A37
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
great ISO range (51,600)
screen does not articulate
77
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A37 as a Sports photography camera
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
good battery (710 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery power (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography information
Sony A37 Travel photography information
67
good battery (710 per charge)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
54
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (500 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 Landscape photography factors
Sony A37 Landscape photography factors
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW files
good battery (710 per charge)
64
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.6 inches)
terrible battery power (500 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 Vlogging info
Sony A37 Vlogging info
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone support
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone support
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A37 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony A37
 Pentax K-500Sony SLT-A37
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-500 Sony SLT-A37
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-11-27 2012-05-16
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME M -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51600 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 2.6"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest 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, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 646g (1.42 lb) 506g (1.12 lb)
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 All around score 79 75
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 12.9
DXO Low light score 1087 799
Other
Battery life 710 shots 500 shots
Form of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery model 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 recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $600 $522