• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Leica M-D (Typ 262)

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $5995 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M-D (Typ 262) advantages over Pentax K-500

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.99 vs 4.81 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.68x vs 0.61x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.0 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to 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

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Sony A57
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica M-D (Typ 262) vs Sony A57

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

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica M-D (Typ 262) vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-500
Canon T5i
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Canon T5i

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Canon T5i
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $539
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Rear display

Compare Leica M-D (Typ 262) vs Canon T5i

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Pentax K-500
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M-D (Typ 262) vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica M10

Pentax K-500
Leica M10
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Leica M10

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Leica M10
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • $7995
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M-D (Typ 262) vs Leica M10

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