Pentax K-500 vs Sigma fp L

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Pentax K-500 vs Sigma fp L

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-500 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-500.

35mm 864.0mm²
61.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sigma fp L Review.
See real-world photos taken with the fp L.

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Sigma fp L

Less expensive
$600 vs $2499 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.78 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

710 vs 240 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Higher max flash sync
1/180 vs 1/15 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
30 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sigma fp L advantages over Pentax K-500

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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
Thinner
45 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
4 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
2100k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
61.0 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read fp L User Reviews

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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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma fp L

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-500, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-500 First Shots

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

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

Sigma fp L

Sony A57

$2499
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L 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

Sigma fp L

Pentax K-5 IIs

$2499
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L 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

Sigma fp L

Canon T5i

$2499
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Canon T5i

Compared to Sigma fp

Pentax K-500

Sigma fp

$597
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Internal flash

$1480
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sigma fp

Sigma fp L

Sigma fp

$2499
35mm

Newer
More pixels

$1480
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher max flash sync

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sigma fp

Compared to Sony A7C

Pentax K-500

Sony A7C

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
More telephoto lens reach

$1598
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A7C

Sigma fp L

Sony A7C

$2499
35mm

Thinner
More dots on screen

$1598
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sony A7C

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