• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax K-500
  • Sony Alpha ILCA-A68
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Sony A58
A58 vs A68
Successor:    
General
Model Number: K-500 A68
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCA-68
Camera Format: SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $599.95 $699.99
Street Price: $596.95 $598.00
Date Available: 2013-07-15 2016-05-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.1 oz (852 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(130 x 97 x 71 mm)
5.6 x 4.1 x 3.2 in.
(143 x 104 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 16.3 24.3
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.81 microns 3.92 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79 79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7 24.1
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.1 13.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,087 701
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
4224 x 2816 (11.9 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2688 x 1792 (4.8 MP, 3:2)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2),
4240 x 2400 (10.2 MP, Other),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.0 5.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
640x480 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60i/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1440x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio XAVC S format / AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compliant / MP4
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3) Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL; 11 elements in 8 groups, 6 bladed diaphragm Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM II
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.06x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/38 (tele) f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, Up to 4x standard digital zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detect:: SAFOX IXi+, 11 point (9 cross type focus point in the center), with light wavelength sensor and diffraction lens; Live View: Contrast detection AF (face detection, tracking, select, spot) Phase Detection: 79 points (15 points cross type); Wide, Zone, Center, Flexible Spot, Expanded Flexible Spot, Lock-On AF (Wide, Zone, Center, Flexible Spot, Expanded Flexible Spot)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter, 21.7mm eyepoint (from view window), Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen (interchangeable) 0.39"-type, 1,440K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 0.88x magnification (0.57x eq.), 23mm eye point (CIPA), -4 to +3 diopter adjustment, eye sensor
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 1,440,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.61x 0.57x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x 0.88x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 460,800 dots (153,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x  
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 51200 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps) Auto, 100-25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE, 3 Manual and 3 Kelvin temperature presets Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm White / Cool White / Day White / Daylight), Flash, Color temperature (2500 to 9900K), Color Filter (G7 to M7, A7 to B7), Custom (1 / 2 / 3), Custom Set
Shutter Speed Range: 1/6000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority, Scene (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR*, Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum, *JPEG only); Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Color; Dynamic range adjustment (Highlight, Shadow); HDR: Auto, HDR 1, HDR 2, HDR 3 Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama, Tele-zoom Continuous AE, 3 Custom Settings
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10s seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: P-TTL: On, Redeye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync + Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable), Rear sync., Wireless, High Speed sync.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens GN=12m (ISO 100), range is lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Multi-interface Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio XAVC S format / AVCHD format Ver.2.0 compliant / MP4
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wired or IR Optional wired
Connections (extended): Wired remote port Type-D Micro HDMI Connector, Multi Micro USB Terminal, External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):    
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.0 5.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 30  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):    
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):    
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:    
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   580 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 710 shots (Lithium AA) 540 shots
Battery Life, Video:   130 minutes
Battery Form Factor: 4 x AA or proprietary D--LI109 Lithion-ion Proprietary NP-FM500H
Usable Battery Types: AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium) or optional D-LI109 Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Lithium disposables 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software CDROM (SILKYPIX Developer Studio for PENTAX included)  
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Entry-level model: Similar to K-50 in IQ and performance, but not weather sealed, comes with 4 Energizer lithium AAs, and only available in black.