• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Less expensive
    $1597 vs $1997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1240 vs 670 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    99 vs 25
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More AF points
    153 vs 33
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.2 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 77 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.2 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    200 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 vs 819200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Nikon D500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 4.22 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 20.9 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.

  • Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).

  • Read our Nikon D500 Review

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500
Pentax K-3 II
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-3 II
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Sony A68

Nikon D500
Sony A68
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

Pentax K-1 II
Sony A68
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A68

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D500
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D500 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D500
Pentax KP
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-1 II
Pentax KP
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax KP

Compared to Nikon D850

Nikon D500
Nikon D850
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?