Pentax K20D vs Sony Alpha 500 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 14.6 MP · APS-C
Pentax K20D
47
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 500
45
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K20D and the Sony Alpha 500 are both APS-C CMOS DSLRs announced in January 2008 and August 2009, so the choice comes down to shooting style rather than format. The A500 is the lighter carry at 630 g against 800 g for the K20D, a saving of 170 g, in a slightly narrower but deeper body. Each also locks you into its own lens system, Pentax KAF glass for the K20D and Sony Alpha DT lenses for the A500. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 23, 2008 | August 27, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 142 x 101 x 70 mm | 137 x 104 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 800 g | 630 g |
| Optics | 49/100 | 50/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe K20D is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 14.6 megapixels against 12.3 on the same APS-C sensor format. It gives you an optical pentaprism viewfinder, while the A500 uses a pentamirror design, and it covers the frame with 11 AF points against 9. Its base sensitivity of 100 ISO, versus 200 on the A500, also suits wide-aperture shooting in bright daylight. For moving subjects the A500 has the clear advantage, with a burst rate of up to 5 fps against 3 fps on the K20D, which matters for children's sports and wildlife sequences. It also offers sensitivity settings up to 12800 ISO, where the K20D reaches 3200, or 6400 expanded. Both cameras stabilise the sensor in-body, so any mounted lens gains shake reduction. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
14.6 MP050 | 12.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4672 x 3104 | 4272 x 2848 |
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. |
16 x 23 | 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. |
3 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 | 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 | 20030200 |
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. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 20030200 |
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. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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. |
400080032000 | 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 | 90300 |
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 (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so motion work needs a different body. For time-based stills projects the K20D has the advantage: it offers built-in interval shooting for timelapse sequences, a feature the A500 does not have. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 47/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is the headline difference in the K20D's favour, letting you keep shooting in rain and dust where the A500 has none. The A500 answers with a 3-inch tilting LCD against the K20D's fixed 2.7-inch panel, which makes waist-level and overhead live-view framing much easier. Both cameras offer live view, a built-in flash and external flash support, and neither has GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. | ||
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 | 2.7" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryRated battery life is effectively level, at 520 shots per charge for the A500 against 500 for the K20D. Card options differ in practice. The A500 accepts SD and SDHC alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, while the K20D takes SD, SDHC or MMC. Both bodies have a single card slot, so neither offers a backup card. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / MMC | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI50 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 520 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the K20D if you shoot outdoors and travel: its weather sealing, 14.6 megapixel sensor, pentaprism viewfinder and built-in interval shooting make it the better landscape and nature companion. Choose the A500 for family and sports photography, where its 5 fps burst, tilting screen and lighter body pay off. If you already own lenses, your mount decides it, since neither body accepts the other's glass.