• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
  • Pentax K-500
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSLR-A500 K-500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $849.99 $599.95
Street Price:   $596.95
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2013-07-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
30.1 oz (852 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(130 x 97 x 71 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.3 16.3
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.55 microns 4.81 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 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: 64 79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8 23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.6 13.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 772 1,087
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9),
3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2),
3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other)
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)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 6.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
640x480 (30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format:   MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a No
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL; 11 elements in 8 groups, 6 bladed diaphragm
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) 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: 55.0mm 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes 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)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter 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: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x 0.61x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x 0.92x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 13.4x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE, 3 Manual and 3 Kelvin temperature presets
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/6000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View 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 10 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off P-TTL: On, Redeye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync + Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Depends on lens
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -2 to +1 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: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
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
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote Wired remote port
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.47  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 9  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.9 6.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5 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): 0.18 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.182 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots 710 shots (Lithium AA)
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H 4 x AA or proprietary D--LI109 Lithion-ion
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium) or optional D-LI109 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 4 x AA Lithium disposables
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM Software CDROM (SILKYPIX Developer Studio for PENTAX included)
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output. 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.