Sony A6500 vs Pentax KP

Cameras
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Sony A6500 vs Pentax KP

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A6500 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A6500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A6500.
Compare Sony A6500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A6500 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

Succeeded by the Sony A6600
Compare A6500 vs A6600
Compare Sony A6600 vs Pentax KP

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Differences

Sony A6500 advantages over Pentax KP

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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
53 mm vs 75 mm
Thinner
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Lighter weight
453g vs 699g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster JPEG shooting
11.1 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
231 vs 35 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.1 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
110 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax KP advantages over Sony A6500

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$999* vs $1598
Save money for lenses or accessories
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/24000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
819200 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
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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 A6500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Comfortable, premium body with good controls; Touch-screen for subject selection; Hybrid image stabilization system; Excellent image quality; Better high ISO JPEGs than the A6300; Extremely fast 11.1 fps burst capture; Very deep buffers for raw and JPEG alike; 4K video capture with no pixel binning
Pricey for an APS-C camera; JPEG colors aren't the most accurate; Very slow buffer clearing; Laggy touch-pad AF function; Poorly-placed movie button; No headphone jack; Mediocre battery life
Read our Sony A6500 Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Sony A6500

Fujifilm X-Pro2

$1198
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Touchscreen

$1300
APS-C

Higher max flash sync
More dots on screen

Compare Sony A6500 vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Pentax KP

Fujifilm X-Pro2

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1300
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Pentax KP vs Fujifilm X-Pro2

Compared to Sony A6300

Sony A6500

Sony A6300

$1198
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Touchscreen

$846
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A6500 vs Sony A6300

Pentax KP

Sony A6300

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$846
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax KP vs Sony A6300

Compared to Nikon D5600

Sony A6500

Nikon D5600

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A6500 vs Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Sony A6500

Canon T7i

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A6500 vs Canon T7i

Pentax KP

Canon T7i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

Compared to Sony A6400

Sony A6500

Sony A6400

$1198
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$798
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony A6500 vs Sony A6400

Pentax KP

Sony A6400

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$798
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax KP vs Sony A6400

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