Pentax K-500 vs Sony SLT Alpha 37 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.28 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-500
54
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 37
49
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-500 and the Sony SLT Alpha 37 are APS-C DSLRs announced in June 2013 and May 2012 respectively. Their shared APS-C CMOS sensor format means a given lens frames the scene the same way on either body. The K-500 uses the Pentax KAF mount and the Alpha 37 the Sony Alpha mount, so lenses do not cross between them. The Alpha 37 is the lighter body at 506 g against 646 g, and smaller at 124 x 92 x 85 mm versus 130 x 97 x 71 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 12, 2013 | May 17, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 97 x 71 mm | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 646 g | 506 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe viewfinders take opposite approaches. The K-500 has an optical pentaprism viewfinder, showing the scene directly through the lens with no electronic delay. The Alpha 37 has an electronic viewfinder that previews exposure and white balance before capture. Resolution is close at 16.28 megapixels against 16, so neither has a useful cropping edge. Both stabilise the sensor in-body, so any mounted lens gains shake reduction. The K-500 reaches 1/6000 second against 1/4000 for wide apertures in daylight, and bursts at up to 6 fps against 5.5. The Alpha 37 answers with 15 autofocus points against 11 for off-centre subjects. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.28 MP050 | 16 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 | 4912 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 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
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 | 5.5 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 | Sony Alpha |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime M | Bionz |
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 | 160003003280000 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 400080032000 |
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 | 150300 |
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) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth record Full HD video at up to 30 frames per second, so neither holds a resolution or frame-rate advantage for casual clips. The K-500's built-in interval timelapse captures frames at set intervals without external gear, while the Alpha 37 has no such mode. Sony records in AVCHD 2.0 as well as MP4, giving editors a choice of file formats. | ||
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 | No |
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 | AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe K-500 is the stronger choice for reviewing shots on the rear screen, with 921,000 dots on its 3-inch LCD against 230,400 on the Alpha 37's smaller 2.6-inch panel. That sharper, larger display helps when confirming critical focus. The Sony is the better choice for awkward angles, as its tilting LCD lets you shoot low or overhead while the Pentax screen is fixed. Both offer live view, a built-in flash and an external flash shoe, but neither has GPS. Only the K-500 has Wi-Fi for wireless transfer to a phone. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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" | 2.6" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 2304001150001500000 |
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. |
No |  Yes |
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. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 32/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe K-500's rated 710 shots per charge exceed the Alpha 37's 500 under their respective test conditions. It runs on four AA batteries, which can be swapped for fresh cells, while the Sony uses a rechargeable NP-FW50 pack. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and the Sony also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo media. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need an external charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | 4 x AA batteries | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
710 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | — | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
— | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | — | complete |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Pentax K-500 is the better pick for stills photographers, with an optical viewfinder, a sharper rear screen, the 1/6000 second shutter, faster bursts, Wi-Fi and a built-in timelapse mode. Its AA batteries and higher rated shot count suit days away from a charger.
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 37 if you shoot at unusual angles and want the tilting screen, or prefer an electronic viewfinder that previews exposure. Its extra autofocus points help off-centre subjects, and AVCHD gives editors a second file format. The shared sensor format, stabilisation and Full HD output keep them close otherwise.