Sony DSC-HX9V vs Pentax K-500

Cameras
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Sony DSC-HX9V vs Pentax K-500

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony DSC-HX9V Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSC-HX9V.

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.

Succeeded by the Sony HX20V
Compare DSC-HX9V vs HX20V
Compare Sony HX20V vs Pentax K-500

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Differences

Sony DSC-HX9V advantages over Pentax K-500

Less expensive
$350 vs $600 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
33 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-500 advantages over Sony DSC-HX9V

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

710 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
30 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-500 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony DSC-HX9V

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Buy the Pentax K-500

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-500 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent optical quality; High resolution; High-resolution Panorama mode; Good video quality; Good grip; Fast autofocus.
Sluggish user interface and Full HD video mode; Heavy noise suppression; GPS is sometimes slow to sync.
Read our Sony DSC-HX9V Express Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-500, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-500 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Sony DSC-HX9V

Panasonic ZS8

$329
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

$259
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Panasonic ZS8

Pentax K-500

Panasonic ZS8

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$259
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Panasonic ZS8

Compared to Sony HX10V

Sony DSC-HX9V

Sony HX10V

$329
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

$375
1/2.3 inch

Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony HX10V

Pentax K-500

Sony HX10V

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$375
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony HX10V

Compared to Sony H90

Sony DSC-HX9V

Sony H90

$329
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

$223
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony H90

Pentax K-500

Sony H90

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$223
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony H90

Compared to Sony A57

Sony DSC-HX9V

Sony A57

$329
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony A57

Pentax K-500

Sony A57

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony DSC-HX9V

Pentax K-5 IIs

$329
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs 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

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

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