Sony DSLR-A580 vs Pentax K-500

Cameras
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Sony DSLR-A580 vs Pentax K-500

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A580 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSLR-A580.

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.

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A580 advantages over Pentax K-500

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

1050 vs 710 shots
Capture more photos
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More AF points
15 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-500 advantages over Sony DSLR-A580

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
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 $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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
More viewfinder magnification
0.61x vs 0.53x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-500 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony DSLR-A580

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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

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony DSLR-A580 Full Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Sony DSLR-A580

Sony A55

$900
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$734
APS-C

Built-in GPS
External Mic Jack

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs Sony A55

Pentax K-500

Sony A55

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$734
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A33

Sony DSLR-A580

Sony A33

$900
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$540
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs Sony A33

Pentax K-500

Sony A33

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$540
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A33

Compared to Sony A35

Sony DSLR-A580

Sony A35

$900
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

$567
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs Sony A35

Pentax K-500

Sony A35

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$567
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A35

Compared to Sony A57

Sony DSLR-A580

Sony A57

$900
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoots 24p video

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs 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

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony DSLR-A580

Pentax K-5 IIs

$900
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A580 vs 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

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