Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77
64 Imaging
57 Features
70 Overall
62


59 Imaging
63 Features
83 Overall
71
Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-500 and Sony SLT-A77. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-500 Gallery and Sony A77 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Sony A77
K-500 | A77 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | November 2013 | ![]() | October 2011 | More modern by 26 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Pentax K-500
A77 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | 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 dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display size |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Equal 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Sony A77 Specifications
Pentax K-500 | Sony 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 |