• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.8 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Panasonic LX100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,087 vs 553 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 710 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic LX100 advantages over Pentax K-500

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.61x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    130 vs 30 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic LX100

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; Great performance in most respects; Bright zoom lens with good macro performance; Photographer-friendly body easily fits in a coat pocket or small bag; Roomy, high-res built-in viewfinder; Decent battery life

  • Won't fit in a pants pocket; Relatively low resolution by modern standards; Zoom lens has only a modest telephoto; Soft corners at wide or tele positions; Aperture dial is too easily bumped; Bundled flash is fairly weak

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Pentax K-500
Sony RX100 III
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic LX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon G7X

Pentax K-500
Canon G7X
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic LX100
Canon G7X
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-500
Sony A57
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic LX100
Sony A57
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Panasonic LX100
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-500
Canon T5i
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic LX100
Canon T5i
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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