Pentax K-500 Review
Specifications
The table below presents the key specifications for the K-500, in comparison with the weather-sealed K-50 and the current top-level Pentax DSLR, the K-5 II/IIs.
Pentax K-500 | Pentax K-50 | Pentax K-5 II / IIs | |
CMOS sensor resolution | 16.28 MP | 16.28 MP | 16.28 MP |
ISO range (expanded) | 100-51200 | 100-51200 | 100-12800 (80-51200) |
RAW Bit Depth | 12 | 12 | 14 |
Sensor size | 15.7 x 23.7 mm (APS-C) | 15.7 x 23.7 mm (APS-C) | 15.7 mm x 23.7 (APS-C) |
Media slot | 1 SDXC / SDHC / SD | 1 SDXC / SDHC / SD | 1 SDXC / SDHC / SD |
Video mode | 1080p: 30/25/24 fps | 1080p: 30/25/24 fps | 1080p: 25 FPS 720p: 30/25 FPS VGA: 30/25 FPS MPEG-4 AVC (.AVI) |
Video sound | Built-in mono microphone | Built-in mono microphone | Built-in stereo microphone External microphone input |
Manual video controls | ISO/Shutter Speed/Aperture | ISO/Shutter Speed/Aperture | N/A |
AF During Video | Yes, on demand | Yes, on demand | No |
Focus Peaking | Yes (during live view) | Yes (during live view) | No |
Shutter speeds | 30s-1/6000s | 30s-1/6000s | 30s-1/8000s |
AF System and Modes | SAFOX IXi+: 11-point phase detect w/ AF.S, AF.C, AF.A -Live View contrast detect (improved) -AF assist lamp, light source detection sensor, diffraction lens | SAFOX IXi+: 11-point phase detect w/ AF.S, AF.C, AF.A -Live View contrast detect (improved) -AF assist lamp, light source detection sensor, diffraction lens | SAFOX X: 11-point phase detect w/ AF.S, AF.C |
AF Sensitivity | -1 to 18 EV | -1 to 18 EV | -3 to 18 EV |
Max framerate (buffer) | Hi: 6 fps (30 JPG, 8 RAW) | Hi: 6 fps (30 JPG, 8 RAW) | Hi: 7 fps (30 JPG, 20 RAW) Lo: 2 fps (unlimited JPG, 40 RAW) |
LCD | 3-inch, 921,000-dot | 3-inch, 921,000-dot | 3-inch, 921,000-dot Air-gap less |
Viewfinder | Pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x magnification | Pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x magnification | Pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x magnification |
Viewfinder AF point display | No | Yes | Yes |
Built-in flash | GN 12 | GN 12 | GN 13 |
Processing Engine | PRIME M | PRIME M | PRIME II |
Weather sealed | No | Yes | Yes |
Electronic level | No | Yes | Yes |
Battery Grip Support | No | No | Yes |
Native Eye-fi Support | Yes | Yes | No |
Dimensions (WxHxD) | 129 x 96.5 x 70 mm 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in. | 130 x 97 x 71 mm 5.12 x 3.82 x 2.8 in. | 130.5 x 96.5 x 72.5 mm |
Weight w/ battery | 650 g (22.9 oz.) | 650 g (22.9 oz.) | 740g (26.1 oz.) |
You may have noticed that even though the K-5 II/IIs is marketed as a more advanced camera, the K-500 and K-50 are in fact better in some respects. For example, both the K-500 and K-50 offer focus peaking and manual video controls, while the K-5 does not. This is because the PRIME M processor used in the K-500 and K-50 is newer than the PRIME II chip found in the K-5; Pentax have not yet updated their flagship to use the new processor.