Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57
64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62
64 Imaging
57 Features
85 Overall
68
Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
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Its time to look more closely at the Pentax K-500 and Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-500 (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe K-500 was brought out 15 months after the A57 making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the K-500 matches up vs the A57 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-500 and Sony SLT-A57. The entire galleries are available at Pentax K-500 Gallery and Sony A57 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A57
| K-500 | A57 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | November 2013 |  | September 2012 | More modern by 15 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Pentax K-500
| A57 | K-500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fully Articulated |  | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
| Selfie screen |  | Take selfies |
Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A57
| K-500 | A57 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Very precise focusing | ||
| Display size | 3" |  | 3" | Same display measurement |
| Display resolution | 921k |  | 921k | Same display resolution |
| Touch display |  | Neither provides Touch display |
Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-500 provides external measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) whilst the Sony A57 has proportions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") along with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).
Compare the Pentax K-500 and Sony A57 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the K-500 and the A57.
Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the K-500 and A57 is 64 and 64 respectively.
Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-500 and A57.
To sum up, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact MP and you should expect similar quality of photos however you will need to take the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher K-500 will have an advantage in sensor tech.
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57 Specifications
| Pentax K-500 | Sony SLT-A57 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax K-500 | Sony SLT-A57 |
| Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Released | 2013-11-27 | 2012-09-13 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | PRIME M | - |
| 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 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Highest native ISO | 51600 | 16000 |
| Highest boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 15 |
| Cross focus points | 9 | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Total lenses | 151 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
| Display resolution | 921k dot | 921k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Display technology | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440k dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.7x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/6000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 6.0 frames/s | 12.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) |
| 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 sync | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
| 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 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 646 grams (1.42 lbs) | 618 grams (1.36 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | 79 | 75 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 23.4 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 13.1 | 13.0 |
| DXO Low light score | 1087 | 785 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 710 shots | 550 shots |
| Style of battery | AA | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | 4 x AA | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Retail cost | $600 | $1,000 |
