Pentax K-500 vs Sony A68 Specifications

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 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A68 Review.

Detailed specifications
Pentax K-500
Sony Alpha ILCA-A68

Links
Prices:	Compare Prices	Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:		Sony A58 A58 vs A68
Successor:
General
Model Number:	K-500	A68
Alternate Model Number(s):		ILCA-68
Camera Format:	SLR	SLR
Currently Manufactured:	No	Yes
Retail Price:	$599.95	$699.99
Street Price:	$596.95	$598.00
Date Available:	2013-07-15	2016-05-15
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	30.1 oz (852 g) includes batteries, kit lens	32.2 oz (912 g) includes batteries, kit lens
Size:	5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in. (130 x 97 x 71 mm)	5.6 x 4.1 x 3.2 in. (143 x 104 x 81 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Sony	Sony
Effective Megapixels:	16.3	24.3
Sensor Format:	APS-C	APS-C
Sensor size:	372.09mm² (23.70mm x 15.70mm)	366.6mm² (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	4.81 microns	3.92 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.5x	1.5x
Aspect Ratio:	3:2	3:2
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed	Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	Yes	Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization:	Yes	Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:	79	79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	23.7	24.1
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	13.1	13.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	1,087	701
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)	6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2), 6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9), 4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2), 4240 x 2400 (10.2 MP, Other), 3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2), 3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9), 12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other), 8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other), 2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other), 2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other), 7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other), 4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format:	JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG	JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (ARW 2.3), 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 (60i/50i/30p/25p/24p) 1440x1080 (30p) 640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format:	MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio	XAVC S format / AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compliant / MP4
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)	Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens:	smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL; 11 elements in 8 groups, 6 bladed diaphragm	Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM II
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	27 - 83mm	27 - 83mm
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 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter:	No
Normal Focus Range:	25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity	25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:
Filter Thread:	52.0mm	55.0mm
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	No
Digital Zoom:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom Values:	n/a	Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, Up to 4x standard digital zoom
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)	Phase Detection: 79 points (15 points cross type); Wide, Zone, Center, Flexible Spot, Expanded Flexible Spot, Lock-On AF (Wide, Zone, Center, Flexible Spot, Expanded Flexible Spot)
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	Optical / LCD	EVF / 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)	0.39"-type, 1,440K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 0.88x magnification (0.57x eq.), 23mm eye point (CIPA), -4 to +3 diopter adjustment, eye sensor
Focus Peaking:	Yes	Yes
EVF Resolution:	n/a	1,440,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):	0.61x	0.57x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):	0.92x	0.88x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.0	2.7
Rear Display Resolution:	921,600 dots (307,200 px)	460,800 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	No	Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No	No
Selfie Screen:	No	No
Max Playback Zoom:	16.0x
Top Deck Display:	No	Yes

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, 100-25600
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, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm White / Cool White / Day White / Daylight), Flash, Color temperature (2500 to 9900K), Color Filter (G7 to M7, A7 to B7), Custom (1 / 2 / 3), Custom Set
Shutter Speed Range:	1/6000 - 30 sec	1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot	1200-zone Evaluative, 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	Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama, Tele-zoom Continuous AE, 3 Custom Settings
Self Timer:	2 or 12 seconds	2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10s 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	Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable), Rear sync., Wireless, High Speed sync.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	12.0 m / 39.4 ft.	12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description:	Depends on lens	GN=12m (ISO 100), range is lens dependent
Max Flash Sync:	1/180	1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:	-2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps	+/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	Hot Shoe	Multi-interface Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:	Full TTL exposure	Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	SD / SDHC / SDXC	MS PRO Duo / 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 (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:	MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio	XAVC S format / AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compliant / MP4
Included Memory:	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:	No	No
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
PictBridge Compliant:	No	Yes
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type:	Optional Wired or IR	Optional wired
Connections (extended):	Wired remote port	Type-D Micro HDMI Connector, Multi Micro USB Terminal, External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input

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
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):		580 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):	710 shots (Lithium AA)	540 shots
Battery Life, Video:		130 minutes
Battery Form Factor:	4 x AA or proprietary D--LI109 Lithion-ion	Proprietary NP-FM500H
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 NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	No	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:		Yes
Internal Charging Supported:		No
Software
Included Software:	Software CDROM (SILKYPIX Developer Studio for PENTAX included)
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.