• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Canon 70D

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
    ~ 4.81 vs 4.11 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,087 vs 926 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.1 vs 11.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Lighter weight
    852g vs 1233g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 70D advantages over Pentax K-500

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 920 vs 710 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 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
  • More cross-type AF points
    19 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    19 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    65 vs 30 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-500

Review Excerpt

  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.

  • Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-500
Nikon D7100
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $745
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon 70D
Nikon D7100
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $745
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-500
Sony A57
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon 70D
Sony A57
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to 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
Canon 70D
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-500
Canon T5i
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 70D
Canon T5i
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sony A77 II

Pentax K-500
Sony A77 II
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon 70D
Sony A77 II
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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