• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A580 advantages over Pentax K-500

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1050 vs 710 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More AF points
    15 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-500 advantages over Sony DSLR-A580

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.61x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

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Buy the Pentax K-500

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Sony DSLR-A580
Sony A55
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • External Mic Jack
Pentax K-500
Sony A55
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony A33

Sony DSLR-A580
Sony A33
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
Pentax K-500
Sony A33
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony A35

Sony DSLR-A580
Sony A35
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
Pentax K-500
Sony A35
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • External Mic Jack

Compared to Sony A57

Sony DSLR-A580
Sony A57
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video
Pentax K-500
Sony A57
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony DSLR-A580
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-500
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Top deck display
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