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Pentax K-x vs Sony A500

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax K-x vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Later Model is Sony A560
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-x vs Sony A500 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Pentax K-x and Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-x (12MP) and the A500 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-x was unveiled 4 months after the A500 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the K-x grades versus the A500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony A500

 K-x A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Pentax K-x

 A500 K-x 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony A500

 K-x A500 
LaunchedDecember 2009August 2009Same generation
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax K-x vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-x features physical measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Sony A500 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-x and Sony A500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the K-x and the A500.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the K-x and A500 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by going through specs. The picture below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the K-x and A500.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of images although you will want to consider the release date of the cameras into account.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-x vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x Portrait photography advice
Sony A500 Portrait photography advice
63
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-x
Street photography with Sony A500
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
74
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x Sports photography details
Sony A500 Sports photography details
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (1,900 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
51
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x Travel photography info
Sony A500 Travel photography info
54
good battery power (1,900 CIPA)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
43
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (520 CIPA)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-x
Landscape photography with Sony A500
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (1,900 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
60
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (520 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-x
Vlogging with Sony A500
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
9
no video
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony A500
 Pentax K-xSony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-x Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-12-23 2009-08-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 2848 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 16.00 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 gr (1.28 lbs) 630 gr (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 64
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 11.6
DXO Low light score 811 772
Other
Battery life 1900 photographs 520 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $600 $638