Pentax K-500 vs Sony SLT Alpha 58 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.28 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-500
54
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 20.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 58
53
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony SLT Alpha 58 is the lighter carry of this 2013 pair, weighing 492 g against 646 g for the Pentax K-500, a 154 g saving that favours travel and hiking. Both are DSLRs announced within months of each other in 2013. Their body dimensions are close, at 130 x 97 x 71 mm for the Pentax and 129 x 95 x 78 mm for the Sony, so the two take up similar space in a camera bag. | ||
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 | February 20, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 97 x 71 mm | 129 x 95 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 646 g | 492 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony SLT Alpha 58 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 20.1 megapixels against 16.28 on the Pentax K-500, about 23.5 percent more pixels for wildlife and detail work. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors with in-body stabilisation, which steadies handheld shooting with any lens on either body. For action, the Pentax K-500 has the edge, with a 6 fps burst against 5 fps and a 1/6000 second top shutter against 1/4000 on the Sony, the shorter exposure helping freeze fast motion. Its native ISO range also reaches 51200, against 16000 on the Sony. The Sony counters with 15 autofocus points against 11, and its 1440000-dot electronic viewfinder previews exposure before the shot, where the Pentax uses an optical pentaprism finder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.28 MP050 | 20.1 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 | 5456 x 3632 |
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 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 DT |
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 | 160003003280000 |
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 ComparisonVideoIf you film moving subjects, the Pentax K-500 supports frame rates up to 30 fps against 24 fps on the Sony SLT Alpha 58, giving smoother motion for sports and flowing water. Maximum resolution is a shared Full HD limit, so neither camera offers 4K. The Pentax also includes a built-in timelapse function, while the Sony records in AVCHD or MP4, which offers more choice for editing and playback. | ||
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 | 24 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, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sony SLT Alpha 58 is the camera for awkward angles, offering a flip screen for waist-level and overhead framing that the fixed screen on the Pentax K-500 cannot match. The Pentax answers with a larger, sharper LCD at 3 inches and 921000 dots against 2.7 inches and 460000 dots, plus built-in Wi-Fi for wireless transfer. Both cameras offer built-in and external flash plus live view, and neither has weather sealing 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
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 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras write to a single card slot, and both support SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, with the Sony SLT Alpha 58 also accepting Memory Stick Pro Duo media. The Pentax K-500 runs on four AA batteries rated at 710 shots, against 690 shots for the Sony's NP-FM500H pack, so endurance is close. The AA format lets the Pentax take a common battery type instead of a dedicated pack. Neither camera charges over USB. | ||
| 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-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
710 shots1505000 | 690 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For travel and detail work, the Sony SLT Alpha 58 is the better fit, with more pixels for cropping, a 154 g lighter body and a flip screen for low compositions. The Pentax K-500 is the stronger choice for action, pairing a 6 fps burst and a 1/6000 second shutter with a 51200 ISO ceiling, a higher video frame rate limit, built-in timelapse and Wi-Fi. Choose the Sony for resolution and portability, the Pentax for pace.