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Pentax K-500

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  1. User ratingsUser ratingsratings of product added by Productz users
  2. Expert ratingsExpert ratingsexperts ratings from editorial reviews
  3. Consumer ratingsConsumer ratingsratings from the biggest online stores worldwide
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  3. Poor
  4. Average
4.0
based on all reviews
User ratings:
39
4.3 out of 5
39 user ratings
5 stars
38 %
4 stars
48 %
3 stars
12 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Editorial reviews:
16
  1. See more
3.7 out of 5
9 user ratings
5 stars
11 %
4 stars
66 %
3 stars
22 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews

Pros

  • the focusing is sharp and accurate
  • The viewfinder is comfortable thanks to the rubber eyecup
  • the sensor performs very well indeed

Cons

  • doesn't have an electronic level and only comes in black
  • portrait-shaped photos must be rotated manually after copying to a PC
  • lack of a virtual horizon function

Key specs

  • CMOS
  • APS-C
  • 23.7x15.7 mm
  • 16 Mpx
  • 4928, 3264 px
  • Pentax KAF2
  • 4
  • Continuous Auto Focus, Face detection, Selective, Single Auto Focus, Spot Auto Focus, Tracking Auto Focus
  • 3.0 in
  • no

Compare technical data of the product to its category

Pentax

Pentax K-500 - Pros & Cons

Pentax K-500

Pros

  • the focusing is sharp and accurate
  • The viewfinder is comfortable thanks to the rubber eyecup
  • the sensor performs very well indeed
  • fastest settings of 12800 and especially 25600 look much better on paper than in reality
  • appealingly well-specified
  • intuitive and customisable DSLR
  • The night photograph was excellent
  • Colour saturation is commendably maintained throughout the ISO range
  • Focusing is also quick and consistent in good light
  • The rear screen also doubles as a comprehensive status display
  • solid level of features includes a fairly comprehensive AF system

Cons

  • doesn't have an electronic level and only comes in black
  • portrait-shaped photos must be rotated manually after copying to a PC
  • lack of a virtual horizon function
  • It also lacks the K-50's array of colour options
  • doesn't offer the auto-focus points in the viewfinder
  • the camera pulls out the RAW image from the buffer system
  • feels very outdated reminding us of an old point and shoot
  • autofocus is fast but quite noisy on the kit lenses
  • noise rise up
  • missing out
  • lack of autofocus point confirmation in the viewfinder

Pentax K-500 - Technical Overview

PoorAverageGoodExcellent
IconScreen size
3 in
Best:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710
Screen size: 6.7 in
IconISO maximum
51200
Best:
Pentax KP
ISO maximum: 819200
IconEffective pixels
16 Mpx
Best:
Hasselblad H6D-100c
Effective pixels: 100 Mpx
IconMax resolution
4928 x 3264 px
Best:
Leica M11
Max resolution: 9528 x 6328 px

Pentax - Video Reviews (5)

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Pentax K-500 - Full Specifications

Icon
Sensor
Sensor typeCMOS
Image sensor formatAPS-C
Sensor size0.93 in
Sensor photo detectors17.0 Mpx
Effective pixels16.0 Mpx
Image ratio w:h3:2
Max resolution4928 x 3264 px
Other resolutions
  • 4224x2816
  • 3456x2304
  • 2688x1792
ProcessorPRIME M
Icon
Optics and focus
Lens mountPentax KAF2
Optical zoom0.31 x
Maximum aperture4
Focus adjustmentAuto/Manual
Contrast autofocusyes
Focal length multiplier1.5x
Autofocus
  • Continuous Auto Focus
  • Face detection
  • Selective
  • Single Auto Focus
  • Spot Auto Focus
  • Tracking Auto Focus
Manual focusyes
Auto Focus (AF) points selection
  • Auto
  • Manual
Auto Focus (AF) assist beamyes
Number of focus points11
Max number of AF points (incl. assistant)11
Filter diameter2.64 in
Phase detection autofocusyes
Icon
Photography features
Shooting modes
  • Aperture priority
  • Auto
  • Manual
  • Movie
  • Program
  • Scene
  • Shutter priority
Camera shutter typeElectronic
Minimum shutter speed30.0 s
Maximum shutter speed1.0 s
Shutter priorityyes
Aperture priorityyes
Manual exposure modeyes
Exposure compensation plus5
Exposure compensation minus-5
Expousure compensation steps
  • 1/3
  • 1/2
Auto exposure lockyes
AE EV steps1
Self-timer delay
  • 2
  • 12
Histogramyes
AE frames3
WB BracketingNo
Subject / scene modesyes
Flash sync speed1/180s
Built-in flashyes
Flash range12
Flash modes
  • Redeye Reduction
  • Slow Sync
External flash connectionHot shoe
Flash metering systemP-TTL
External flashyes
Continuous drive6.0 fps
Scene modes
  • Backlight
  • Candlelight
  • Children
  • Close-up
  • Museum
  • Night
  • Night portrait
  • Pet
  • Portrait
  • Snow
  • Sports
  • Sunset
  • Surf
  • Landscape
Self-timeryes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
Self-timer options
  • 2
  • 12
Icon
Audio features
Built-in microphoneyes
Microphone typeMono
Speaker typeMono
Voice recordingyes
Noise reductionyes
Icon
Dimensions
Weight20.81 oz
Width5.08 in
Height3.8 in
Depth2.76 in
Icon
Power
Power source typeBattery
Battery life (CIPA)480
Battery technology
Lithium-Ion
Number of batteries supported1
Icon
Other features
Timelapse recordingyes
Orientation sensoryes
Energy Star certifiedno
Languages support
  • CHI
  • CHI
  • CZE
  • DAN
  • DEU
  • DUT
  • ENG
  • ESP
  • FIN
  • FRE
  • GRE
  • HUN
  • ITA
  • JPN
  • KOR
  • POL
  • POR
  • RUS
  • SWE
  • TUR
Image editing modes
  • Crop
  • Resizing
  • Rotating
Icon
Image
ISO
  • 100
  • 125
  • 160
  • 200
  • 250
  • 320
  • 400
  • 500
  • 640
  • 800
  • 1000
  • 1250
  • 1600
  • 2000
  • 2250
  • 2500
  • 3200
  • 4000
  • 5000
  • 6400
  • 8000
  • 10000
  • 12800
  • 16000
  • 25600
  • 51200
  • Auto
ISO Autoyes
ISO minimum100
ISO maximum51200
Maximum image resolution4928 x 3264 px
White balance presets9
White balance modes
  • Auto
  • Cloudy
  • Custom modes
  • Daylight
  • Fine
  • Flash
  • Fluorescent
  • Fluorescent L
  • Manual
  • Shade
  • Tungsten
Custom white balanceyes
Supported image file formats
  • JPG
  • RAW
Photo effects
  • Muted
  • Neutral
Image stabilizeryes
Image stabilization typeSensor-shift
Uncompressed formatRAW
HDRyes
AEB/HDR supportyes
Icon
Screen and viewfinder
Screen size3.0 in
Articulated LCDno
Screen technologyLCD TFT
Screen dots921000
Touch screenno
Field of view100.0 %
Live viewyes
ViewfinderOptical
Viewfinder coverage100.0 %
Viewfinder magnification0.92 x
Diopter adjustment (D-D)2.5 - 1.5
Second displayno
Icon
Videography features
Maximum resolution1920 x 1080 px
Video recordingyes
Recording resolutions
  • 640 x 480
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1920 x 1080
HD typeFull HD
Supported video file formats
  • H.264
  • MPEG-4
Analog signal format system
  • NTSC
  • PAL
Camera playback
  • Single image
  • Slide show
Motion JPEG frame rate60.0 fps
Icon
Design
Body typeMILC
Colour of productBlack
Environmentally sealedno
Icon
Storage
Compatible memory cards
  • Eye-Fi
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Memory slots1
Storage types
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Camera file system
  • DCF 2.0
  • Exif 2.3
  • RAW
Icon
Connectivity
HDMIno
USB version2.0
WirelessEye-Fi Connected
Remote controlyes
PictBridgeno
NFCno
Wireless network (Wi-Fi)no
Bluetoothno
Firewireno

Pentax K-500 - Q&A

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Pentax K-500 Pentax - Editorial Reviews (16)

3.7
Based on 16 reviews
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500 Camera Price in India, Specification, Features | Digit.in
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Digit.in/hi/
Pentax K-500 Camera Price in India, Specification, Features | Digit.in

Checkout the best price to buy Pentax K-500 Camera in India. Know full specification of Pentax K-500 Camera along with its features.

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500 Review
Digit.in/hi/ logo
Digit.in/hi/
Published: 15.10.2014
Pentax K-500 Review
3.9

Read the in depth Review of Pentax K-500 Digital Cameras. Know detailed info about Pentax K-500 configuration, design and performance quality along with pros & cons, Digit rating, verdict based on user opinions/feedback.

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500 review
T3 logo
T3
Published: 08.08.2013
Pentax K-500 review
4.0

The Pentax K-500 is a new affordable entry-level digital SLR

Pentax K-500 Consumer SLR Camera Roundup (2013)
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DPReview
Published: 27.11.2013
Consumer SLR Camera Roundup (2013)

To improve my general purpose and family photography, which camera should I choose?

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500 Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews
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pentaxforums.com
Pentax K-500 Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Introduction: An in-depth review of the Pentax K-500 entry-level DSLR. The K-500 features a 16.3-megapixel with a sensitivity of up to ISO 51,200 and body-based Shake Reduction for easy stabilization of any lens.

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-50 and K-500 review: Lots of photo features but pics disappoint
CNET logo
CNET
Published: 18.07.2013
Pentax K-50 and K-500 review: Lots of photo features but pics disappoint
3.5

Both stuffed with semimanual shooting options, the weather-sealed K-50 and the K-500 seem like great deals. But they just don't come through on the photo quality.

Pentax K-500 Hands on: Pentax K-500 review
TechRadar logo
TechRadar
Published: 16.01.2014
Hands on: Pentax K-500 review

Pentax's most affordable DSLR

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500 review:pared down specification, pared down performance?
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DXOMARK
Published: 12.09.2013
Pentax K-500 review:pared down specification, pared down performance?

As a more accessibly priced model, the $499 Pentax K-500 is a pared down variant of the $699 K-50. It lacks the weather-sealed body and adopts AA batteries instead of a rechargeable lithium-ion pack but how well does the 16Mpix sensor perform?

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500 Review | Photography Blog
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photographyblog.com
Published: 17.09.2013
Pentax K-500 Review | Photography Blog
4.5

The Pentax K-500 is a new entry-level DSLR camera with a lot of attractive features for the price. The 16 megapixel K-500 offers 6fps continuous shooting, an 11-point AF system, 3-inch LCD screen, an optical viewfinder with nearly 100% frame coverage and an ISO range of 100-51200. Read our in-depth Pentax K-500 review...

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500 Review
PCMAG logo
PCMAG
Published: 14.11.2013
Pentax K-500 Review
4.0

The Pentax K-500 boasts top-notch image quality, and a pentaprism viewfinder, which is unheard of at its entry-level price point.

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500 Review | Camera Decision
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Camera Decision
Published: 27.11.2013
Pentax K-500 Review | Camera Decision
3.3

Pentax K-500 is a 16.0MP Entry-Level DSLR camera with a APS-C sized CMOS sensor and Pentax KAF2 mount. Read our K-500 review to find its pros and cons.

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500 Review
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Imaging Resource
Published: 12.06.2013
Pentax K-500 Review

Pentax K-500 Review: First Impressions

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500 review
Alphr logo
Alphr
Published: 03.10.2013
Pentax K-500 review
4.0

The K-500 may be the entry point into Pentax’s DSLR range, but nobody could accuse the company of skimping on features. It doesn’t have the weatherproofing of the more expensive models in the Pentax range, but little

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500 review
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Expert Reviews
Published: 05.11.2013
Pentax K-500 review
3.0

Lots of superb features, but not quite the stunning bargain we'd hoped for

Pentax K-500 Pentax K-500
Trusted Reviews logo
Trusted Reviews
Published: 08.08.2013
Pentax K-500
3.5

Pentax K-500 review - an entry-level DSLR to compete against the D600 and D3200.

Often compared with Pentax K-500