• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon D7000 advantages over Pentax K-500

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1050 vs 710 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    39 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus

Pentax K-500 advantages over Nikon D7000

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1500 (MSRP)
    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
  • Lighter weight
    852g vs 1234g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 19 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-500
Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
  • Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All K-500 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; Better than average noise vs. detail handling at high ISOs; Very good dynamic range in JPEGs, excellent in RAW files; Lots of high-end features in a relatively compact body; 6 fps burst mode.

  • Viewfinder not as accurate as specified; Viewfinder doesn't show ISO unless adjusting; No live histogram in Live View mode; No phase-detect Live View AF mode.

  • Read our Nikon D7000 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 60D

Nikon D7000
Canon 60D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Canon 60D

Pentax K-500
Canon 60D
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Canon 60D

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon D7000
Sony A57
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Sony A57

Pentax K-500
Sony A57
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-30

Nikon D7000
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-30

Pentax K-500
Pentax K-30
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D7000
Pentax K-5 II
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-500
Pentax K-5 II
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 II

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Nikon D7000
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-500
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

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