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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77

Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
83
Overall
71

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 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
  • Released November 2013
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Old Model is Sony A700
  • New Model is Sony A77 II
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Pentax K-500 versus Sony A77, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and A77 (24MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-500 was announced 2 years after the A77 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A77 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the K-500 matches up vs the A77 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A77

 K-500 A77 
ReleasedNovember 2013October 2011More modern by 26 months

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Pentax K-500

 A77 K-500 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Sony A77

 K-500 A77 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution921k921kEqual display resolution
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-500 provides exterior dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) while the Sony A77 has measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-500 versus Sony A77 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the K-500 versus the A77.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the K-500 and A77 is 64 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by checking specs. The picture here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-500 and A77.

All in all, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Sony A77 to resolve greater detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The younger K-500 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography information
Sony A77 Portrait photography information
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW formats
77
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography information
Sony A77 Street photography information
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
above average ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
74
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography info
Sony A77 Sports photography info
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
good battery (710 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery pack (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography features
Sony A77 Travel photography features
67
good battery (710 CIPA)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
62
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (470 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 Landscape photography info
Sony A77 Landscape photography info
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
good battery (710 CIPA)
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
bad battery pack (470 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-500
Vlogging with Sony A77
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
76
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
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Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Sony A77
 Pentax K-500Sony SLT-A77
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-500 Sony SLT-A77
Category Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-11-27 2011-10-25
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 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
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51600 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 50
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 19
Cross type focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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, 24 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 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 646 gr (1.42 lbs) 732 gr (1.61 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 78
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 13.2
DXO Low light rating 1087 801
Other
Battery life 710 images 470 images
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch cost $600 $900