• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,500
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax K-500
  • Leica TL
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Leica T (Typ 701)
T (Typ 701) vs TL
Successor:   Leica TL2
TL vs TL2
General
Model Number: K-500 TL
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.95 $1699.99
Street Price: $596.95 $1,349.99
Date Available: 2013-07-15 2016-11-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.1 oz (852 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
13.5 oz (384 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(130 x 97 x 71 mm)
5.3 x 2.7 x 1.3 in.
(134 x 69 x 33 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 16.3 16.3
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm) 370.52mm2 (23.60mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.81 microns 4.77 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.1  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,087  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
4224 x 2816 (11.9 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2688 x 1792 (4.8 MP, 3:2)
4944 x 3278 (16.2 MP, Other),
4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
4272 x 2856 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2160 (7.1 MP, Other),
2144 x 1424 (3.1 MP, Other),
1632 x 1080 (1.8 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG JPEG, .DNG RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.0 5.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
640x480 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (30p)
1280x720 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio MP4 with stereo audio
Composite Video Out: Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: No
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3) Leica L bayonet
Lens: smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL; 11 elements in 8 groups, 6 bladed diaphragm n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.06x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/38 (tele)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detect:: SAFOX IXi+, 11 point (9 cross type focus point in the center), with light wavelength sensor and diffraction lens; Live View: Contrast detection AF (face detection, tracking, select, spot) Contrast Detection: Single point, multiple point, spot, face detection, touch AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter, 21.7mm eyepoint (from view window), Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen (interchangeable) Optional Leica Visoflex Electronic Viewfinder
Focus Peaking: Yes No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.61x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.7
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 1,229,760 dots (409,920 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x  
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 51200 12500
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps) Auto, 100 - 12500
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE, 3 Manual and 3 Kelvin temperature presets Auto, daylight, cloud, halogen lighting, shade, electronic flash, 2 manual settings, manual color temperature setting; fine adjustment option for all settings
Shutter Speed Range: 1/6000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot Multi-field, center-weighted, spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority, Scene (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR*, Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum, *JPEG only); Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Color; Dynamic range adjustment (Highlight, Shadow); HDR: Auto, HDR 1, HDR 2, HDR 3 Sport, portrait, landscape, night portrait, snow/beach, fireworks, candlelight, sunset
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: P-TTL: On, Redeye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync + Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync Automatic, automatic / red eye reduction, always on, always on / red eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync / red eye reduction
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 4.5 m / 14.8 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens Aperture dependant; GN = 4.5m at ISO 100
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG .DNG RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio MP4 with stereo audio
Included Memory: No memory included 3,200.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wired or IR Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Wired remote port Leica flash interface with integrated connection for accessories
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):    
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.0 5.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 30 12
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   400 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 710 shots (Lithium AA)  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 4 x AA or proprietary D--LI109 Lithion-ion Proprietary BP-DC13 7.4v 1040mAh
Usable Battery Types: AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium) or optional D-LI109 Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Lithium disposables 1 x Proprietary BP-DC13 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: Software CDROM (SILKYPIX Developer Studio for PENTAX included) Leica App (free download remote control and picture transfer in Apple App Store/Google Play Store).
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Entry-level model: Similar to K-50 in IQ and performance, but not weather sealed, comes with 4 Energizer lithium AAs, and only available in black. Available in black, silver and titanium.