Pentax K-500
Announced on June 12, 2013
Pentax Announced the new entry level Pentax K-500 Digial SLR Camera with Pentax DA L 18-55mm WR Lens, Black, 16MP APS-C CMOS, Full 1080p h.264 HD Movie, K-Mount Lens Compatible, In-Body Shake Reduction, Eye-Fi Compatible
Key Features
- 16.3MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- PRIME M Image Processing Engine
- 3.0″ 921k-Dot LCD Monitor
- Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 30 fps
- SAFOX IXi+ Autofocus System
- Continuous Shooting Up to 6 fps
- In-Camera Shake Reduction
- In-Camera HDR and RAW Processing
- Four AA or Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
The Pentax K-500 Digital SLR Camera inherits most of the specs of Pentax K-50, but the Weather sealing. It features a 16.3 megapixel APS-C-sized CMOS sensor and PRIME M image processing engine to deliver quality imagery & fast performance. A high sensitivity level of ISO 51200, full-res continuous shooting rate of 6 fps, and rendering both stills and videos achieved with the help of these two technologies. Full HD 1080p video recording is supported up to 30 fps as well as HD 720p recording up to 60 fps. Video files are recorded in H.264 AVC/MPEG-4 codec and saved as .MOV files for easy sharing and editing.
The SAFOX IXi+ autofocus system, ensures sharp, accurate focus quickly and smoothly. Additionally, in-camera sensor shift image stabilization, which reduces the camera shake by about three stops to ease working in low-light conditions or with longer focal length lenses.
Pentax K-500 is housed within a polycarbonate-covered camera body that is supported by a stainless steel chassis. It is powered by four AA batteries as its power source when used in conjunction with the included D-BH109 AA Battery Holder .The optional D-LI109 lithium-ion battery pack can be used as a compact & rechargeable power source.
Pricing & Avaiability
The K-500 DSLR will be available at retail outlets nationwide and online in July 2013 with a suggested retail price of $599.95 for the kit including the DA-L 18-55mm lens and $699.95 for the dual lens kit including the DA-L 18-55mm and DA-L 50-200mm lenses.
Additional Images
Pentax K-500 Specifications
| Sensor Type | CMOS with primary color filter, integrated Shake/Dust Reduction sensor movement system |
| Sensor Size | 23.7 x 15.7mm (APS-C) |
| Sensor Color Depth | 8 bits/channel JPG, 12 bits/channel RAW |
| Effective Pixels | 16.3 MP |
| Total Pixels | 16.5 MP |
| Dust Removal | Sensor movement with SP coating on low pass filter |
| Pixel Mapping | Yes |
| Image Stabilization (Shake Reduction) | Sensor-shift SR with rotational compensation (3 stops avg CIPA, 4 stops max) |
| Lens Mount | PENTAX KAF2 bayonet stainless steel mount |
| Usable Lenses | PENTAX KAF3, KAF2, KAF, and KA (K mount, 35mm screw-mount, 645/67 med format lenses useable with adapter and/or restrictions) |
| SDM Function | Yes |
| Power Zoom Function | n/a |
| Focus Type | SAFOX IXi+ TTL phase-detection 11 point (9 cross) wide autofocus system with light wavelength sensor and diffraction lens |
| Sensitivity Range | EV -1 to 18 (ISO 100) |
| Focus Modes | AF.A (auto), AF.S (single, w focus lock, focus/shutter priority selectable), AF.C (continuous, w focus/FPS priority selectable), Manual |
| Focus Point Adjustment | Auto 11 pt., Auto 5 pt., User-Selectable (with Expanded Area AF), Center |
| AF Assist | Yes via dedicated LED AF assist lamp |
| Focus Peaking | Yes (n/a during active video recording) |
| Metering System | Type: TTL open aperture 77 segment metering Sensitivity range: EV 0 to 22 (ISO 100, 50mm F1.4) Metering patterns (multi, center, spot): Multi 77, Center, Spot Exposure compensation: +/- 5 EV (1/3 and 1/2 steps) Exposure lock: Yes Exposure bracketing: 3 frames, up to +/- 3 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 steps |
| Shutter | Type: Electronically controlled, vertical-run, focal plane shutter Shutter speed: Auto: 1/6000 to 30 sec., Manual: 1/6000 to 30 sec. (1/3EV steps or 1/2EV steps), Bulb |
| Viewfinder | Type: Pentaprism Coverage (field of view): 100% Magnification: 0.92X (w 50mm F1.4 at infinity) Standard focusing screen: Natural-Bright-Matte III (interchangeable) Diopter adjustment: -2.5m to +1.5m Depth of field preview: Optical (diaphragm stop-down), digital |
| LCD Monitor | Type: 3.0″ TFT color LCD w brightness/color adjustment Resolution: 921,000 dots Wide angle viewable: Yes |
| Live View | Type: TTL by CMOS image sensor Field Of View: 100% Display Modes: Magnification (2-6X), Grid Overlay (4×4, Golden Ratio, Scale), Bright/Dark Indication, Histogram |
| Built-In Flash | Type: Retractable P-TTL pop-up flash Guide number: 12m (ISO 100), Synchronization speed: 1/180 sec Angle of View/Coverage: Wide Angle (Equivalent to 28mm in 35mm format) Flash modes: P-TTL, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync High-Speed and Wireless Sync are also available with PENTAX dedicated external flash. Flash exposure compensation: -2 to +1 EV (1/3 steps) |
| External Flash | Type: Hotshoe (P-TTL), high speed sync and wireless with PENTAX dedicated flash Synchronization speed: 1/180 sec |
| Storage Media | Internal memory: n/a Removable memory: SD, SDHC, SDXC, (Eye-Fi Card compatible) |
| Interfaces | Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed, AV out, Cable Switch Video output format: NTSC, PAL, USB Connection: MSC/PTP Microphone: Built-in monaural |
| Image File | Recorded resolutions: 16M (4928×3264), 12M (4224×2816), 8M (3456×2304), 5M (2688×1792) RAW (4928×3264) Quality levels: Best, Better, Good File formats: RAW (DNG), JPG (EXIF 2.3), DCF 2.0 compliant, DPOF, PIM III Color space: sRGB, AdobeRGB |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto: 100-51200 (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps), auto range selectable Manual: 100-51200 (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps) |
| White Balance | Type: Image sensor detection with light wavelength sensor detection Auto preset modes: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, (D: Daylight Color, N: Daylight White, W: Cool White, L: Warm White), Tungsten, Flash, CTE Manual mode(s): a) 3 manual settings can be configured and saved, b) Kelvin color temperatures can be selected, c) WB settings can be copied from a captured image WB fine adjustment: +/- 7 steps A-B axis or G-M axis |
| Program Mode Selection | Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter & Aperture Priority, Manual, Bulb |
| Auto Picture Modes | Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Blue Sky, Forest |
| Scene Modes | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest,Night Scene, Night Scene HDR (JPG), Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum |
| Custom Image Modes | Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing |
| Green Simplified Mode Available | n/a |
| Face Detection Available | Yes |
| PASMB | P, A, S, M, B (extended modes Sv, TAv) |
| Date Stamp | n/a |
| Digital Filters Capture | Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Color |
| Dynamic Range Adjustment | Highlight, shadow |
| File/Folder Customization | Folder name (standard, date), create new folder, embed copyright |
| Drive Modes Mode Selection | Single, Continuous (Hi, Lo), Self-Timer (12s, 2s), Remote (0s, 3s), Exposure Bracketing (3 frames) |
| Drive Modes Continuous FPS | Continuous Hi: approx. 6.0 FPS (30 JPG, 8 RAW) Continuous Lo: approx. 3.0 FPS (unlimited JPG, 10 RAW) |
| Other Modes | Multi-exposure: 2-9 shots, auto exposure adjustment Interval: 999 shots, 3 sec to 24 hr interval, time delay HDR: Auto, HDR 1, HDR 2, HDR 3, pixel alignment, exposure bracket +/- 1-3 EV (1/1 steps) Cable switch: Yes CS-205 (sold separately) |
| Playback Mode Selection | Single frame, Multi-image display (4, 9, 16, 36, 81 segmentation), Display magnification (up to 16x, scrolling and quick magnification available), rotating, histogram, bright/dark area warning, copyright display, calendar filmstrip, display, folder display, slideshow, Eye-Fi transfer |
| Playback Mode Pallet | Image Rotation, Digital Filter, Resize, Cropping, Index Print, Protect, Slideshow, Save as Manual WB, Save Cross Processing, RAW Development, Movie Edit, DPOF |
| Playback Digital Filters | Monochrome, Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Color, Tone Expansion, Sketch Filter, Water Color, Pastel, Posterization, Miniature, Soft, Starburst, Fish-eye, Slim, Base Parameter Adjustment |
| Video Capture Image File Information | Recorded resolutions/FPS: 1920x1080p30/25/24, 1280x720p60/50/30/25/24, 640x480p30/25/24 Quality levels: Best, Better, Good File formats (compression): MOV MPEG-4 AVC (h.264) Sound: Audio gain adj |
| Video Capture Modes | Custom Image modes: Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Bleach Bypass,Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross ProcessingDigital filters (capture): Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Color |
| Video Capture Modes cont. | Interval movie: 3 sec., 5 sec., 10 sec., 30 sec., 1 min., 5min., 10 min., 30 min., 1 hr. Recording time: 4 sec. to 99 hr., Start Interval setting: immediately, from the set time, Motion JPEG(AVI) Movie editing functions: Movie Divide, Delete Selected Frames |
| File Storage (Based on 4GB Memory) | Still 16MP (3:2) RAW: 150 images Still 16MP (3:2) Best Image Quality: 421 Video 1080p30 Best Image Quality: 0:16:21 Video 1080p24 Best Image Quality: 0:20:21 Video 720p60 Best Image Quality: 0:16:21 Video 720p30 Best Image Quality: 0:28:18 |
| Customazation | (20 Custom Functions available) RAW/Fx Button (One Push File Format, Exposure Bracketing, Optical preview, Digital Preview, Composition Adjustment, Select AF Point), USER Mode (up to 2 settings can be saved) |
| Language Support | English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Russian |
| System Requirements | Windows: Windows XP(SP3 or later 32-bit Home/Pro), Vista (32-bit,64-bit), Win 7 (32-bit, 64-bit) Win 8, (can be run as a 32-bit application on any 64-bit edition of Windows). Mac: MacOS X, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8 |
| Primary Construction Materials | Reinforced polycarbonate over stainless steel chassis |
| Operating Temperature | 14-104°F (-10 to 40°C) |
| Ruggedized Features | Fully weather sealed throughout body, coldproof |
| Battery | Rechargeable Li-Ion battery D-LI109 (included), AA battery holder D-BH109 for 4 AA batteries (sold separately) |
| Battery Time Stills | Li-Ion approx. 480 (410 w 50% flash, CIPA), AA lithium approx. 1250 (710 w 50% flash, CIPA) |
| Battery Time Movie Playback | Li-Ion approx. 270 min, AA lithium approx. 560 min |
| Battery Time Movie Recording | 25 min max time per clip |
| AC Adapter Available | Yes. K-AC128 (sold separately) |
| Body Dimensions (WxHxD) | 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8″ |
| Body Weight | 20.8 oz (589.67g) without battery or removable memory 22.9 oz (649.20g) loaded and ready |