Sony HX200V vs Pentax K-500

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Sony HX200V vs Pentax K-500

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
18.2 megapixels
27.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony HX200V Review.
See real-world photos taken with the HX200V.

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.

Succeeded by the Sony HX300
Compare HX200V vs HX300
Compare Sony HX300 vs Pentax K-500

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Differences

Sony HX200V advantages over Pentax K-500

Less expensive
$480 vs $600 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-500 advantages over Sony HX200V

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 1.26 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
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 450 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
71 mm vs 93 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
30 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
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 HX200V User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-500 User Reviews

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Sony HX200V

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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

Extremely versatile superzoom that covers everything from wide angle to mega-telephoto; Portable design doesn't sacrifice comfort; Detailed images thanks to high-resolution 18.2MP BSI CMOS sensor.
Slow to use overall; Poor image quality at high ISOs; Images not as sharp or as bright at full telephoto as we had hoped.
Read our Sony HX200V Express 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 Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Sony HX200V

Panasonic DMC-FZ100

$349
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
More telephoto lens reach

$500
1/2.33 inch

RAW file ability
Hot shoe

Compare Sony HX200V vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Pentax K-500

Panasonic DMC-FZ100

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$500
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Compared to Sony HX100V

Sony HX200V

Sony HX100V

$349
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Higher extended ISO

$312
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS

Compare Sony HX200V vs Sony HX100V

Pentax K-500

Sony HX100V

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$312
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Sony A57

Sony HX200V

Sony A57

$349
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Integrated ND filter

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX200V 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 Panasonic FZ60

Sony HX200V

Panasonic FZ60

$349
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

$270
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive

Compare Sony HX200V vs Panasonic FZ60

Pentax K-500

Panasonic FZ60

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$270
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Panasonic FZ60

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony HX200V

Pentax K-5 IIs

$349
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX200V 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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