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Model Name: Pentax K-500 
Prices: Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Predecessor:  
Successor:  
General
Model Number: K-500
Alternate Model Number(s):  
Camera Format: SLR
Currently Manufactured: No
Retail Price: $599.95
Street Price: $596.95
Date Available: 2013-07-15
Tripod Mount: Yes
Weight: 30.1 oz (852 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(130 x 97 x 71 mm)
Waterproof: No
Waterproof Depth: n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony
Effective Megapixels: 16.3
Sensor Format: APS-C
Sensor size: 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.81 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No
DxO Sensor Score: 79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,087
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)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: 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: Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: No
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
Lens: 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
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
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:  
Filter Thread: 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: 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)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes
Manual Focus: Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / 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
EVF Resolution: n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.61x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes
Rear Display: Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No
Articulating Screen: No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE, 3 Manual and 3 Kelvin temperature presets
Shutter Speed Range: 1/6000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes
Full Manual Exposure: 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
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes
High Resolution Composite: No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes
Flash Modes: P-TTL: On, Redeye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync + Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens
Max Flash Sync: 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:  
Other Memory:  
Dual Card Slots: No
RAW Capture Support: Yes
Uncompressed Format: 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
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No
Built-In GPS: No
Microphone Jack: No
Headphone Jack: No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No
DPOF Compliant: Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): Wired remote port
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
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):  
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
Usable Battery Types: AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium) or optional D-LI109 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Lithium disposables
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No
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.