Pentax K-50 vs Pentax K-500 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.28 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-50
57
WINNER
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Pentax · DSLR · 16.28 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-500
54
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-50 and the Pentax K-500 are APS-C DSLRs announced together on 12 June 2013, and the differences that matter involve weather protection, wireless features and battery power rather than the bodies themselves. Their dimensions are identical at 130 x 97 x 71 mm, and the K-500 is only 4 g lighter at 646 g against 650 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 12, 2013 | June 12, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 97 x 71 mm | 130 x 97 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 650 g | 646 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsCropping room is identical, because both cameras give you 16.28 megapixels on an APS-C CMOS sensor. A distant bird cropped hard gets the same pixel count from either file. Both also use the Prime M processor and share a 100 to 51200 ISO range. Handheld work in dim interiors gets the same help, because both cameras offer in-body stabilisation, so any K-mount lens gains shake reduction. Burst shooting also matches at 6 fps for action sequences. Both use 11 autofocus points and a 1/6000 second maximum shutter. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.28 MP050 | 16.28 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4928 x 3264 | 4928 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.7 x 23.7 | 15.7 x 23.7 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6 fps045 | 6 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Pentax KAF | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime M | Prime M |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
512003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
600080032000 | 600080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor family clips and web video, both cameras do the same job, recording MPEG-4 video with Full HD as the maximum resolution and 30 fps as the maximum frame rate. Neither offers 4K, so heavy cropping in the edit is unavailable on both. Both cameras also include a built-in interval timer, so you can shoot a sunset or cloud time-lapse without an external remote. If video is central to your work, neither body exceeds the Full HD maximum resolution. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4 | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 54/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe K-50 is the camera for poor-weather shooting, because its weather sealing is protection the K-500 does not have. It suits landscapes in changeable weather and wet sports sidelines, and the K-500 is the one to keep dry. The K-500 offers built-in Wi-Fi for transferring photos to a phone or tablet without a card reader, which the K-50 cannot do. Screen and flash features match on a 3-inch 921000-dot LCD with live view, a built-in flash and an external flash shoe. Neither has a touchscreen, a flip-out screen or GPS. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe K-500 has the stronger battery rating, at 710 shots against 410 for the K-50, and it runs on 4 x AA batteries. For long travel or event days you can carry spare AAs, while the K-50 depends on its D-LI109 lithium pack. Storage is shared: both write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot, so card choice is identical and neither offers a second slot for backup or overflow. Neither camera supports USB charging, so both batteries need external charging between sessions. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI109 | 4 x AA batteries |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 710 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Pentax K-50 if you shoot outdoors in rain, dust or spray, because its weather sealing is protection the K-500 simply does not have. Landscape photographers, hikers and winter sports shooters get the safer body, with the same 16.28 megapixel resolution and 6 fps burst as the K-500.
Choose the Pentax K-500 if endurance and easy power matter more, since its 710-shot AA rating suits days away from a charger and its Wi-Fi simplifies sharing to a phone. Both cameras share the same resolution, in-body stabilisation and Full HD video, so the choice rests on weather protection against battery flexibility and wireless sharing.