Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-500 vs Pentax KP

APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-500 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-500.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Pentax KP

Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

710 vs 390 shots
Capture more photos

Pentax KP advantages over Pentax K-500

Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
7 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
27 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/24000 vs 1/6000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
HDMI out
Neither provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-500

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-500 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax KP

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-500, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-500 First Shots

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax KP, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Pentax KP Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-500

Sony A57

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57

Pentax KP

Sony A57

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
High resolution composite

$800
APS-C

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax KP vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-500

Pentax K-5 IIs

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax KP

Pentax K-5 IIs

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

$497
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-500

Canon T5i

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Canon T5i

Pentax KP

Canon T5i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T5i

Compared to Nikon D5600

Pentax K-500

Nikon D5600

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1065
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1065
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax K-500

Canon T7i

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Canon T7i

Pentax KP

Canon T7i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

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