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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30

The Nikon D500 and the Pentax K-30 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2016 and May 2012. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 20.7 megapixels, whereas the Pentax provides 16.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D500
versus
Pentax K-30
Nikon D500   Pentax K-30
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses Pentax K mount lenses
20.7 MP – APS-C sensor 16.1 MP – APS-C sensor
4K/30p Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 1,640,000) ISO 100-12,800 (100 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.2" LCD – 2359k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Tilting touchscreen Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
10 shutter flaps per second 6 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
1240 shots per battery charge410 shots per battery charge
147 x 115 x 81 mm, 860 g 130 x 97 x 71 mm, 650 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D500 and the Pentax K-30? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Nikon D500 and the Pentax K-30 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The K-30 can be obtained in seven different colors (black, silver, blue, red, yellow, green, white), while the D500 is only available in black.

Size Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30
Compare D500 versus K-30 top
Comparison D500 or K-30 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax K-30 is notably smaller (25 percent) than the Nikon D500. Moreover, the K-30 is markedly lighter (24 percent) than the D500. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the D500 gets 1240 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL15 battery, while the K-30 can take 410 images on a single charge of its Pentax D-LI109 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax K-30 130 mm 97 mm 71 mm 650 g 410 Y May 2012 849ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D7500 136 mm 104 mm 73 mm 720 g 950 Y Apr 2017 1,299 amazon.com
4.
 
Nikon D5600 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 465 g 970 n Nov 2016 699ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D3400 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 445 g 1200 n Aug 2016 499ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D5500 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 470 g 820 n Jan 2015 899ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D7200 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 1110 Y Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D750 141 mm 113 mm 78 mm 750 g 1230 Y Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D7100 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 950 Y Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D610 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D600 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax K-50 130 mm 97 mm 71 mm 650 g 410 Y Jun 2013 599ebay.com
14.
 
Pentax K-500 130 mm 97 mm 71 mm 646 g 710 n Jun 2013 549ebay.com
15.
 
Pentax K-3 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 560 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
16.
 
Pentax K-5 II 131 mm 97 mm 73 mm 760 g 740 Y Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
17.
 
Pentax K-5 131 mm 97 mm 73 mm 760 g 740 Y Sep 2010 1,099ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The K-30 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 58 percent) than the D500, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon D500 and Pentax K-30 sensor measures

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the Nikon D500 offers a higher resolution of 20.7 megapixels, compared with 16.1 MP of the Pentax K-30. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.22μm versus 4.79μm for the K-30). However, it should be noted that the D500 is much more recent (by 3 years and 7 months) than the K-30, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D500 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D500 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D500 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.8 x 18.6 inches or 70.7 x 47.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 22.3 x 14.8 inches or 56.6 x 37.7 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.6 x 12.4 inches or 47.1 x 31.4 cm. The corresponding values for the Pentax K-30 are 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.6 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.7 x 13.1 inches or 50.1 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.7 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D500 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 51200, which can be extended to ISO 50-1640000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Pentax K-30 are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D500 versus K-30 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under review, the D500 has a notably higher overall DXO score than the K-30 (overall score 4 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.3 bits higher color depth, 1 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.2 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
2.
 
Pentax K-30 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.713.0112979
3.
 
Nikon D7500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.314.0148386
4.
 
Nikon D5600 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0130684
5.
 
Nikon D3400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.813.9119286
6.
 
Nikon D5500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0143884
7.
 
Nikon D7200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.514.6133387
8.
 
Nikon D750 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/60p24.814.5295693
9.
 
Nikon D7100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.213.7125683
10.
 
Nikon D610 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.4292594
11.
 
Nikon D600 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.2298094
12.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
13.
 
Pentax K-50 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.713.0112079
14.
 
Pentax K-500 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.713.1108779
15.
 
Pentax K-3 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.713.4121680
16.
 
Pentax K-5 II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.814.1123582
17.
 
Pentax K-5 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.714.1116282
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the D500 provides a higher video resolution than the K-30. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the Pentax is limited to 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D500 and the K-30 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the D500 has a higher magnification than the one of the K-30 (0.67x vs 0.61x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon D500, the Pentax K-30, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
2.
 
Pentax K-30optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Nikon D7500optical Y3.2 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D5600optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D3400optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D5500optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D7200optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D750optical Y3.2 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D7100optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D610optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D600optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
13.
 
Pentax K-50optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
14.
 
Pentax K-500optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Pentax K-3optical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s Y Y
16.
 
Pentax K-5 IIoptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Pentax K-5optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One feature that is present on the D500, but is missing on the K-30 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The Nikon D500 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The D500 writes its imaging data to SDXC or XQD cards, while the K-30 uses SDXC cards. The D500 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the K-30 only has one slot. The D500 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the K-30 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-30 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
2.
 
Pentax K-30Ymono / mono---2.0---
3.
 
Nikon D7500Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Nikon D5600Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
5.
 
Nikon D3400Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y
6.
 
Nikon D5500Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
7.
 
Nikon D7200Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
8.
 
Nikon D750Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y--
9.
 
Nikon D7100Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D610Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D600Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
13.
 
Pentax K-50Ymono / mono--micro2.0---
14.
 
Pentax K-500Ymono / mono---2.0---
15.
 
Pentax K-3Ymono / monoYYmini3.0---
16.
 
Pentax K-5 IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
17.
 
Pentax K-5Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
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It is notable that the D500 has a microphone port, which is missing on the K-30. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D500 (unlike the K-30) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the D500 and the K-30 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The K-30 was replaced by the Pentax K-50, while the D500 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the D500 and K-30 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D500 Manual (free pdf) or the online Pentax K-30 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Nikon D500 and the Pentax K-30? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Reasons to prefer the Nikon D500:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (20.7 vs 16.1MP) with a 13% higher linear resolution.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (4 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (1 EV of extra DR).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/30p).
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.67x vs 0.61x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2359k vs 921k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/6000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1240 versus 410) on a single battery charge.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II) SDXC cards.
  • More modern: Reflects 3 years and 7 months of technical progress since the K-30 launch.

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Arguments in favor of the Pentax K-30:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More compact: Is smaller (130x97mm vs 147x115mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 210g or 24 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (58 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in May 2012).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the D500 is the clear winner of the match-up (25 : 7 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D500 25:07 K-30

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D500 and the Pentax K-30 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D500 or the K-30 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax K-304/5....78/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 849ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D75004.5/5+ +4.5/586/1005/54.5/5 Apr 2017 1,299 amazon.com
4.
 
Nikon D56004/5..4/579/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2016 699ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D34004/5+4/576/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2016 499ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D55005/5+..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 899ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D72004/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D7505/5+ +4/590/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D71005/5+ +..85/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D6104/5+ +..87/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D6004/5+ +..87/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,099ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax K-505/5......5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 599ebay.com
14.
 
Pentax K-500........4.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 549ebay.com
15.
 
Pentax K-34/5....83/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
16.
 
Pentax K-5 II5/5....80/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
17.
 
Pentax K-54/5....83/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,099ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-30

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon D500 Pentax K-30
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Pentax K mount lenses
    Launch Date January 2016 May 2012
    Launch Price USD 1,999 USD 849
    Sensor Specs Nikon D500 Pentax K-30
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.5 x 15.7 mm 23.7 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 368.95 mm2 369.72 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm 28.4 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 20.7 Megapixels 16.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5568 x 3712 pixels 4928 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.22 μm 4.79 μm
    Pixel Density 5.60 MP/cm2 4.35 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 51,200 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 1,640,000 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED 5 PRIME M
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 83 79
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 24.0 23.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 14.0 13.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1324 1129
    Screen Specs Nikon D500 Pentax K-30
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.67x 0.61x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.2inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 2359k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D500 Pentax K-30
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/6000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s 6 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Image StabilizationLens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC or XQD cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-II no
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D500 Pentax K-30
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 3.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI no HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in no Bluetooth
    Body Specs Nikon D500 Pentax K-30
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL15 Pentax D-LI109
    Battery Life (CIPA)1240 shots per charge410 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81 mm
    (5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in)
    130 x 97 x 71 mm
    (5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in)
    Camera Weight 860 g (30.3 oz) 650 g (22.9 oz)
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