• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax K-500
  • Samsung NX30
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: K-500 NX30
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.95 $999.99
Street Price: $596.95 $899.00
Date Available: 2013-07-15 2014-02-20
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.1 oz (852 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
23.1 oz (654 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(130 x 97 x 71 mm)
5.0 x 3.8 x 1.6 in.
(127 x 96 x 42 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Samsung
Effective Megapixels: 16.3 20.3
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.81 microns 4.29 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 Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 79 76
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7 23.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.1 12.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,087 1,014
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)
5472 x 3648 (20.0 MP, 3:2),
5472 x 3080 (16.9 MP, 16:9),
3648 x 3648 (13.3 MP, 1:1),
3888 x 2592 (10.1 MP, 3:2),
3712 x 2088 (7.8 MP, 16:9),
2640 x 2640 (7.0 MP, 1:1),
2976 x 1984 (5.9 MP, 3:2),
2944 x 1656 (4.9 MP, 16:9),
2000 x 2000 (4.0 MP, 1:1),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1024 x 1024 (1.0 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG JPEG, MPO, RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.0 8.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
640x480 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1920x810 (24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
320x240 (30p)
1280x720 (120p)
640x480 (120p)
320x240 (120p)
Movie File Format: MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio MP4 (Video: MPEG4, AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3) Samsung NX
Lens: smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL; 11 elements in 8 groups, 6 bladed diaphragm Samsung 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III OIS NX
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 27 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.06x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/38 (tele) f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm 58.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 2x
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) Samsung NX AF System II (Hybrid contrast/phase-detect): 105points (Phase Detection AF), 247points (Contrast AF), Selection: 1point ( Free selection ), Multi: Normal 21 (3 x 7) points, Closeup 35points, Face Detection: Max. 10 faces
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / OLED
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) Tiltable (up to 80 degrees) EVF with eye sensor; XGA (1024x768) 2,359K dots; 100% Field of view; 0.96x Magnification(50mm eq. lens); -4 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.61x 0.64x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x 0.96x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x  
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 51200 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps) Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
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, Cloudy, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Flash, Custom, K (Manual)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/6000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
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, 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 Beauty Face, Landscape, Macro, Action Freeze, Rich Tone, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Fireworks, Light Trace, Creative Shot, Best Face, Multi-Exposure, Smart Jump Shot
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2-30 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 Smart Flash, Auto, Auto+Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in+Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 11.0 m / 36.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens Lens dependent; GN=11 (ISO 100, m)
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio MP4 (Video: MPEG4, AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
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 Wi-Fi live view; optional wired via USB
Connections (extended): Wired remote port Mult-function USB port compatible with wired remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   0.62
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.73
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   21
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.62
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.0 8.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 30 21
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   8.9
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   12
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   8.8
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   11
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):   0.13 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.087 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.23 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.083 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full AF lag, wide-area AF mode = 0.285s
Startup Time:   0.8 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   3.6 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   360 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-1410
Usable Battery Types: AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium) or optional D-LI109 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1410mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Lithium disposables 1 x Proprietary BP-1410 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: Software CDROM (SILKYPIX Developer Studio for PENTAX included) iLauncher, Adobe Lightroom v5
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. Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g/n supports Dual Channel (Smart Camera 3.0 with NFC, AutoShare, SNS & Cloud, Email, Auto Back, Remote Viewfinder Pro, Mobile Link,Samsung Link, Group Share, Photo Beam, HomeSync, Baby Monitor)