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06-13-2013, 09:33 AM   #1
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K-500 Specs per Pentax USA


Adam answered these questions with a hands on with the K-500
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/227965-pentax-k-500-sp...eries-etc.html

"At the Pentax HQ in Tokyo, today my journalist Albert learned the following about the new entry-level Pentax K-500:

1. It does not have illuminated AF points in the viewfinder
2. It does not have the electronic level
3. It will not be sold in Japan
4. Depending on the market, it will ship with either the AA battery holder or a Li-ion battery, though cameras will be compatible with both. The US market will get AA holder, while the European market will get the rechargeable batteries."

There is a bit of a conflict between Pentax and some reviewers about the K-500 and its features. Pentax says it and the K-50 are alike in all regards except that the K-500 is not weather sealed, comes with AA batteries and holder not the rechargeable battery, and does not have the electronic level that the K-50 has. Some reviewers are claiming that the 500 has the rechargeable battery, has the level, but does not have viewable AF points in the viewfinder. I've asked Adam about this and he said he is test-driving the cameras tomorrow and will address these issues as soon as possible. I trust Adam and know that he knows Pentax gear better than any of the reviewers that have been cited so far in various threads. So, I'm taking a wait and see approach to what the actual differences are between the 50 & 500.

Type

Digital SLR
Sensor
Type: CMOS w primary color filter, integrated Shake/Dust Reduction sensor movement system
Size: 23.7 x 15.7mm (APS-C)
Color depth: 8 bits/channel JPG, 12 bits/channel RAW
Effective pixels (total pixels): 16.3 MP (16.5 MP) (approx.)
Dust Removal: Sensor movement w SP coating on low pass filter
Pixel mapping: Yes

Lens

Type/construction: PENTAX KAF2 bayonet stainless steel mount
Usable lenses: PENTAX KAF3, KAF2, KAF, and KA (K mount, 35mm screwmount, 645/67 med format lenses useable w adapter and/or restrictions)
SDM function: Yes, Power zoom function: n/a

Focus System

Type: SAFOX IXi+ TTL phase-detection 11 point (9 cross type focus points in the center) w light wavelength sensor and diffraction lens
Sensitivity range: EV -1 to 18 (ISO 100)
Focus modes: AF.A (auto), AF.S (single, w focus lock, focus/shutter priority selectable), AF.C (continuous, w focus/FPS priority selectable), Manual
Focus point selection: Auto 11 pt, Auto 5 pt, User-Selectable (w Expanded Area AF), Center
AF assist: Yes via dedicated LED AF assist lamp
Focus peaking: Yes (n/a during active video recording)
Autofocus Fine Adjustment: ±10 step, Uniform adjustment, Individual adjustment (up to 20 can be saved)

Viewfinder

Type: Pentaprism, Coverage (field of view): 100%
Magnification: 0.92X (w 50mm F1.4 at infinity)
Standard focusing screen: Natural-Bright-Matte III (interchangeable)
Diopter adjustment: -2.5m to 1.5m, Eye Relief: Approx. 21.7mm (from the view window)
Depth of field preview: Optical (diaphragm stop-down), digital

LCD Monitor

Type: 3.0” TFT color LCD w brightness/color adjustment
Resolution: 921,000 dots, Wide angle viewable: Yes

Live View:Type: TTL by CMOS image sensor
Display: Field of View approx. 100%, Magnified view (2x, 4x, 6x), Grid display (4x4 Grid, Golden Section, Scale display), Bright/dark area warning, Histogram
Autofocus: Contrast detection + Face Detection, Tracking, Select, Spot

Flash

Type: Retractable P-TTL popup flash
Guide number: 12m (ISO 100), Synchronization speed: 1/180 sec
Angle of View/Coverage: Wide Angle (Equivalent to 28mm in 35mm format)
Flash modes: P-TTL, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
High-Speed and Wireless Sync are also available with PENTAX dedicated external flash.
Flash exposure compensation: -2 to +1 EV (1/3 steps)

External Flash

Type: Hotshoe (P-TTL), high speed sync and wireless w PENTAX dedicated flash
Synchronization speed: 1/180 sec

Storage Media

Removable memory: SD, SDHC, and SDXC Memory Card (Eye-Fi card compatible)
External Memory: n/a

Interfaces

Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed, AV out, Cable Switch
Video output format: NTSC, PAL, USB Connection: MSC/PTP
Microphone: Built-in monaural

Power Supply

Power source: Rechargeable Li-Ion battery D-LI109 (optional), AA battery holder D-BH109 for 4* AA batteries (sold separately)
Recordable images: Li-Ion approx 480 (410 w 50% flash, CIPA), AA lithium approx 1250 (710 w 50% flash, CIPA)
Playback time: Li-Ion approx 270 min, AA lithium approx 560 min
Movie recording time: 25 min max time per clip
AC adapter available: Yes (sold separately)

Physical Specs

Body dimensions (W x H x D): 5.1” x 3.8” x 2.8” (excluding operating parts and protrusions)
Body weight: Without battery or removable memory card: 20.8 oz
With 4 AA Lithium batteries and memory card: 22.8 oz.
With D-Li109 battery and memory card 22.9 oz
Primary construction material(s): Reinforced polycarbonate over stainless steel chassis
Operating temperature: 14-104°F (-10 to 40°C), Ruggedized features: n/a

Language Support

English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian,Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish,Greek, Russian
Image Stabilization

Type: Sensor-shift SR (3 stops depending on lens and shooting conditions)
Metering System

Type: TTL open aperture 77 segment metering
Sensitivity range: EV 0 to 22 (ISO 100, 50mm F1.4)
Metering patterns (multi, center, spot): Multi 77, Center, Spot
Exposure compensation: +/- 5 EV (1/3 and 1/2 steps)
Exposure lock: Yes
Exposure bracketing: 3 frames, up to +/- 3 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 steps

ISO Sensitivity

Auto/100-51200 (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps), auto range selectable
White Balance

Type: Image sensor detection w light wavelength sensor detection
Auto, Preset (Preset modes): Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D: Daylight Color, N: Daylight White, W: Cool White, L: Warm White), Tungsten, Flash, CTE, Manual mode(s): a) 3 manual settings can be configured and saved, b) Kelvin color temperatures can be selected, c) WB settings can be copied from a captured image
WB fine adjustment: +/- 7 steps A-B axis or G-M axis

Shutter

Type: Electronically controlled, vertical-run, focal plane shutter
Shutter speed: (Auto/Manual) 1/6000 to 30 sec (1/3 or 1/2 steps), Bulb
Capture Modes

Mode selection: Auto Picture mode: automatically selects from Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Blue Sky, Forest
Scene Mode: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR*, Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum, *JPEG only
Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter & Aperture Priority, Manual, Bulb
Custom Image modes: Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing
Green simplified mode available: n/a
Face detection available: Yes
PASMB: P, A, S, M, B (extended modes Sv, TAv) Date stamp: n/a
Digital filters (capture): Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Color
Dynamic range adjustment: Highlight, shadow
Electronic level: n/a Horizon correction: n/a
File/Folder customization: Folder name (standard, date), create new folder, embed copyright

Drive Modes

Mode selection: Single, Continuous (Hi, Lo), Self-Timer (12s, 2s), Remote (0s, 3s), Exposure Bracketing (3 frames)
Continuous FPS
- Continuous Hi: Approx 6.0 FPS (30 JPG, 8 RAW)
- Continuous Lo: Approx 3.0 FPS (unlimited JPG, 10 RAW)
Multi-exposure: 2-9 shots, auto exposure adjustment
Interval: 999 shots, 3 sec to 24 hr interval, time delay
HDR: Auto, HDR 1, HDR 2, HDR 3, Auto composition correction function, exposure bracket +/- 1 to 3 EV (1 EV steps)
Cable switch: Yes (sold separately)

Playback Modes

Playback View: Single image, Multi-image display (4, 9, 16, 36, 81 segments), display mag. (up to 16x, scrolling and quick magnify available), histogram, bright/dark area warning, copyright display, calendar filmstrip, display, folder display, slideshow, Eye-Fi transfer
Delete: Single image, all images, select & delete, delete folder, delete instant review image
RAW Development: File Format (JPEG), Image Capture Settings(Aspect Ratio, Recorded Pixels, Quality Level, Color Space), Lens Correction(Distortion Correction, Lateral Chromatic Aberration Correction), Custom Image, White Balance, Sensitivity, High-ISO NR, Shadow Correction
Edit: Resize, Cropping (Aspect ratio and Slant adjustment available), Index, Capture a JPEG still picture from a movie, Saving the RAW file data in the buffer memory
Digital filters (playback): Monochrome, Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Color, Tone Expansion, Sketch Filter, Water Color, Pastel, Posterization, Miniature, Soft, Starburst, Fish-eye, Slim, Base Parameter Adjustment

File Formats

Recorded pixels: 16M (4928x3264), 12M (4224x2816), 8M (3456x2304), 5M (2688x1792)
RAW 16M (4928x3264)
Quality levels (JPEG): ★★★ (Best), ★★ (Better), ★ (Good)
File formats: RAW (DNG), JPG (EXIF 2.3), RAW +,DCF 2.0 compliant, DPOF, PIM III
Color space: sRGB, AdobeRGB
Custom Functions

(20 Custom Functions available)
RAW/Fx Button (One Push File Format, Exposure Bracketing, Optical preview, Digital Preview, Composition Adjustment, Select AF Point), USER Mode (up to 2 settings can be saved)


Last edited by Docrwm; 06-14-2013 at 11:27 AM.
06-13-2013, 10:34 AM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by Docrwm Quote
viewable AF points in the viewfinder
Be keen to find this out. Some of the reviewers could have just turned that feature off, or be misquoted.

But my personal view is that it's no big deal. The K-x never had flashing AF point indicators and I never missed them when using that camera. But it is a useful kind of visual feedback of AF I guess, for those that use more than centre-point AF. And it's a feature competitor cameras all have, so I guess it is necessary.
06-13-2013, 10:39 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by rawr Quote
Be keen to find this out. Some of the reviewers could have just turned that feature off, or be misquoted.

But my personal view is that it's no big deal. The K-x never had flashing AF point indicators and I never missed them when using that camera. But it is a useful kind of visual feedback of AF I guess, for those that use more than centre-point AF. And it's a feature competitor cameras all have, so I guess it is necessary.
I have realized that it kinda helps me to find the center of my viewfinder when shooting in very dark conditions. Sometimes I lose my center with my k-x, and it makes it hard to ensure the AF point is looking at what I want it to look at.
06-13-2013, 10:40 AM   #4
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I had a Kx and didn't realize I was missing anything until I got a K5.

06-13-2013, 11:16 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by rawr Quote
Be keen to find this out. Some of the reviewers could have just turned that feature off, or be misquoted.

But my personal view is that it's no big deal. The K-x never had flashing AF point indicators and I never missed them when using that camera. But it is a useful kind of visual feedback of AF I guess, for those that use more than centre-point AF. And it's a feature competitor cameras all have, so I guess it is necessary.
I agree with you and having owned both the K-x and K-r I much preferred my K-x.
06-13-2013, 04:55 PM   #6
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According to TR : "We assume that the decision to make the active AF point invisible in the viewfinder of the Pentax K-500 was made to reduce costs, but we think it's a bad choice." Hands on: Pentax K-500 review | Digital slrs/hybrids Reviews | TechRadar

I don't know if this is correct or not, but I imagined they would have a few things left out over the K50 besides the weather sealing. If Adam can confirm this, it would be useful for people considering the camera to know the details.

Thanks
06-13-2013, 04:56 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by solar1 Quote
According to TR : "We assume that the decision to make the active AF point invisible in the viewfinder of the Pentax K-500 was made to reduce costs, but we think it's a bad choice." Hands on: Pentax K-500 review | Digital slrs/hybrids Reviews | TechRadar

I don't know if this is correct or not, but I imagined they would have a few things left out over the K50 besides the weather sealing. If Adam can confirm this, it would be useful for people considering the camera to know the details.

Thanks
Yes, I have seen that and several other "reviews" that have been rushed out but they all say several things that are not accurate per Pentax. Reifying these things helps no one. Wait and see.

06-16-2013, 04:06 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by JinDesu Quote
I have realized that it kinda helps me to find the center of my viewfinder when shooting in very dark conditions. Sometimes I lose my center with my k-x, and it makes it hard to ensure the AF point is looking at what I want it to look at.
I have found the same to be true, but it's mostly when I have to hold the camera in an awkward position, and when the VF is dark enough that I really can't see the etchings on the focusing screen. For the bulk of my very low light shooting, with a normal hold, it's really not a problem. I also use a VF magnifier, so the problem can be worse for me than most.

Leaving out the focus point indicators is not really as big a deal as the "professional" reviewers have made it. With only 11 AF focus sensors, even if you manually select the sensor for each shot, it's only a maximum of 3 button pushes to get to any focus sensor since you can recenter the point with the OK button, and all of this can be done without taking your eye from the VF. If SAFOX used more focus sensors, then I could see that it could present more of a problem, but with only 11, the complaint against this is pretty silly, IMO. If this is really a problem then get the K50 and get WR and electronic leveling as a bonus.

The LED AF point overlay indicators have been a major source of confusion for Pentax DSLR novices, confirmed by the number of "my camera won't focus correctly" threads (on this an other Pentax forums) that have been answered by pointing out that the LED does not indicate focus lock, and it does not even approach being closely representative of the size of the focus sensor being used. There are hundreds of these -- and hundreds of posts within them where users were surprised to find that this was the case and had just assumed that the red square indicated the size as well as the precise location of the sensor and that when it lit up, the focus was locked.

Personally, I've found the LED indicators distracting and normally turn them off unless shooting in dark conditions as mentioned above.

Scott
06-16-2013, 04:26 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by snostorm Quote
The LED AF point overlay indicators have been a major source of confusion for Pentax DSLR novices, confirmed by the number of "my camera won't focus correctly" threads (on this an other Pentax forums) that have been answered by pointing out that the LED does not indicate focus lock, and it does not even approach being closely representative of the size of the focus sensor being used. There are hundreds of these -- and hundreds of posts within them where users were surprised to find that this was the case and had just assumed that the red square indicated the size as well as the precise location of the sensor and that when it lit up, the focus was locked.
Amen.

Although in fairness to Pentax people, the same issue applies with Canon, Nikon, Sony users too, many of who also believe that those little red LED's in their viewfinder indicate focus confirmation, and the exact location of their AF points.
06-16-2013, 04:35 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by rawr Quote
Amen.

Although in fairness to Pentax people, the same issue applies with Canon, Nikon, Sony users too, many of who also believe that those little red LED's in their viewfinder indicate focus confirmation, and the exact location of their AF points.

Errr...you mean they don't!
06-16-2013, 05:49 PM   #11
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The argument between having and not having AF LEDs have been argued to death .

Just to add my .00000002 cents, I'm with those who thinks it's bad for marketing. I won't argue about technical, usability, etc. issues. It's differs from user to user.

What I care about is Pentax earning brownie points on marketing, and no AF LEDs will be a big issue with reviewers. All the other improvements that totally separates the camera from it's peers (pentaprism, two dials, etc.) will be pulled down by one missing feature.

At least the K-x had something the the K-500 (currently?) does not: COLORS!

Again Pentax has created an almost perfect still camera, and they 'cripple' (again I reiterate from a marketing sandpoint) it. Maybe they are into wabi-sabi too much .
06-16-2013, 05:50 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Docrwm Quote
you mean they don't
Hmmm... They are a rough guide, a form of visual feedback more than anything else. Not a precise marker. And the only valid focus confirmation signal in the viewfinder on recent Pentaxes is the green hexagon.
07-19-2013, 09:16 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by GrinMode Quote
The argument between having and not having AF LEDs have been argued to death .

Just to add my .00000002 cents, I'm with those who thinks it's bad for marketing. I won't argue about technical, usability, etc. issues. It's differs from user to user.

What I care about is Pentax earning brownie points on marketing, and no AF LEDs will be a big issue with reviewers. All the other improvements that totally separates the camera from it's peers (pentaprism, two dials, etc.) will be pulled down by one missing feature.

At least the K-x had something the the K-500 (currently?) does not: COLORS!

Again Pentax has created an almost perfect still camera, and they 'cripple' (again I reiterate from a marketing sandpoint) it. Maybe they are into wabi-sabi too much .
But what do we know? It is easy to call shots when you're not in the hot seat..


That said, heres my arm-chair quarterback playbook had I a say:

-- K-500: add AF confirmation points in the VF to appease majority
-- K-50: add stereo input mic jack, increase buffer slightly, enable focus peaking on video
-- DAL 18-55 WR: release it as a non-kit lens
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