Nikon D500 vs Pentax KP

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Nikon D500 vs Pentax KP

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APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D500.
Compare Nikon D500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D500 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

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Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Pentax KP

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

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

1240 vs 390 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Higher-res screen
590k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
153 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.2 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 35 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.2 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 10 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 KP advantages over Nikon D500

Less expensive
$999* vs $1597
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.9 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/24000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

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Kit with 16-80mm f/2.8-4 Lens

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Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

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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

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax KP, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Pentax KP Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D500

Canon T6i

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D500 vs Canon T6i

Pentax KP

Canon T6i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T6i

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 KP

Pentax K-3 II

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax KP 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 KP

Sony A68

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
High resolution composite

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax KP vs Sony A68

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D500

Nikon D5600

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

$1032
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D500 vs Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1032
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Nikon D500

Canon T7i

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D500 vs Canon T7i

Pentax KP

Canon T7i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

Compare Other Cameras?