• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax K-500
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-QX1
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: K-500 QX1
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Lens-Style Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.95 $399.99
Street Price: $596.95 $498.00
Date Available: 2013-07-15 2014-11-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.1 oz (852 g)
includes batteries, kit lens 		7.6 oz (216 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(130 x 97 x 71 mm) 		2.9 x 2.7 x 2.1 in.
(74 x 70 x 53 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 16.3 20.1
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm) 357.28mm2 (23.20mm x 15.40mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.81 microns 4.25 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 78
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7 23.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.1 12.8
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,087 1,063
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) 		5456 x 3632 (19.8 MP, 3:2),
5456 x 3064 (16.7 MP, 16:9),
3872 x 2576 (10.0 MP, 3:2),
3872 x 2176 (8.4 MP, 16:9),
2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2),
2736 x 1536 (4.2 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG JPEG, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.0 3.5
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/​16Mbps)
Movie File Format: MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with AAC-LC stereo audio)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: No No
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3) Sony E
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 Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 2x Clear Image 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) Contrast-detect AF: Multi Point (25 points)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / 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)  
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
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 No
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 0.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px)  
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x  
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 51200 16000
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps) Auto (100-16000), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000
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, Flash, Underwater, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
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 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
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  
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2 or 10 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, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 4.0 m / 13.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens Lens dependent; GN = 6m (ISO 200) / 4m (ISO100)
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS Micro M2 / microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with AAC-LC stereo audio)
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: 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 Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wired or IR Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Wired remote port Multi Terminal/Micro USB, Wi-Fi with NFC
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 3.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 30 15
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):   440 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
Usable Battery Types: AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium) or optional D-LI109 Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Lithium disposables 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
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. World's first lens-style camera with interchangeable lens mount.