Sony Alpha 3500 vs Pentax K-500

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500
      59
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      65
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha 3500 and the Pentax K-500, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sony Alpha 3500 was introduced in March 2014 and Pentax K-500 was introduced in November 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sony Alpha 3500 Highlights

      • 20 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 16,000 Native ISO
      • 25 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Electronic Viewfinder
      • 3.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash

      Pentax K-500 Highlights

      • 16.3 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 51,600 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 6.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 25 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Sony Alpha 3500
      4. Advantage of Pentax K-500
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sony Alpha 3500 and Pentax K-500.

      PROS

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   51,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      •   Sensor Resolution - 20 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/6000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 79
      •   Weight - 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 710 shots

      Advantage of Sony Alpha 3500

      Sony a3500
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha 3500 over Pentax K-500.

      Sony Alpha 3500 vs Pentax K-500
      Higher Sensor Resolution 20 Megapixel vs 16.3 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 5456 x 3632 vs 4928 x 3264
      More Focus Points 25 vs 11
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Higher Video Recording Limit 30 min vs 25 min
      HDMI Output Mini vs
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono
      Lighter 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz) vs 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha 3500.

      Sony a3000
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      APS-C

      20.1 MP

      Pentax K-3 III
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      25.73 MP

      Hasselblad X2D 100c
      Image cannot be found

      Medium format

      100 MP

      Leica D-Lux (Typ 109)
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12.8 MP

      Nikon D80
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Pentax K100D
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D500
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Sony a6300
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Fujifilm X-E2S
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Fujifilm X-T200
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Panasonic G2
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
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      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Advantage of Pentax K-500

      Pentax K-500
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K-500 over Sony Alpha 3500.

      Sony Alpha 3500 vs Pentax K-500
      Higher Native ISO 16,000 vs 51,600
      Timelapse Recording vs
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization vs Sensor Shift
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 921k dot
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.47x vs 0.61x
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/6000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.5 fps vs 6.0 fps
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/180 sec
      Longer Battery Life 470 shots vs 710 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax K-500.

      Sony a6500
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Pentax K-3 III Monochrome
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      APS-C

      25.73 MP

      Nikon D3100
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      APS-C

      14 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Pentax K-01
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      APS-C

      16 MP

      Sony a6300
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 7D II
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Sony a6100
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon Z fc
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Canon 5DS R
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Leica CL
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      APS-C

      24.24 MP

      Nikon Z30
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      APS-C

      20.9 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Sony Alpha 3500 Pentax K-500
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
      WEAKNESSES Sony Alpha 3500 Pentax K-500
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1080
        Low Video Recording Limit30 min25 min
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi Eye-Fi connection possible
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony Alpha 3500 and Pentax K-500 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 230k dot and 921k dot resolutions respectively.


      Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha 3500 has a built-in Electronic viewfinderPentax K-500 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. They both have 100% coverage.

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha 3500 features a 20 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 366.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 16,000. Pentax K-500 features a 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 246.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 51,600.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Sony Alpha 3500 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 5456 x 3632 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3872 x 2576, 2736 x 1824 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Pentax K-500 is equipped with PRIME M processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4224 x 2816, 3456 x 2304, 2688 x 1792 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Sony Alpha 3500 has Sony E lens mount and Pentax K-500 has Pentax KAF2 lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Pentax K-500

      Pentax K-500 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony Alpha 3500 comes with NP-FW50 battery pack with battery life of 470 shots and Pentax K-500 comes with 4 x AA battery pack with battery life of 710 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Sony Alpha 3500 has a single card slot. Pentax K-500 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha 3500, and up to 1/6000 sec on Pentax K-500. Sony Alpha 3500 can shoot continuously up to 3.5 fps. Pentax K-500 can shoot continuously up to 6.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 4m at ISO100 on Sony Alpha 3500 and 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Pentax K-500. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or Wireless connection to Pentax K-500. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha 3500 and 1/180 sec on Pentax K-500.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony Alpha 3500 body has dimensions of 128 x 91 x 85 mm (5.04 x 3.58 x 3.35") and Pentax K-500 body has dimensions of 130 x 97 x 71 mm (5.12 x 3.82 x 2.8"). Sony Alpha 3500 weighs 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz) and Pentax K-500 weighs 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz).

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      128 mm

      91 mm

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      130 mm

      97 mm

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      91 mm

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      97 mm

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      85 mm

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      71 mm

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      Size comparisons of Sony Alpha 3500 and Pentax K-500

      Sony Alpha 3500 and Pentax K-500 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      71
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots
      GOOD
      72
      •   51,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 710 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   51,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 710 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      GOOD
      76
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      GOOD
      81
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      GOOD
      80
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      GOOD
      80
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      GOOD
      80
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots
      GOOD
      78
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 710 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony Alpha 3500 and Pentax K-500 and give them scores of 59 and 65 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      OVERALL
      59
      OVERALL
      65

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   16,000 Highest Native ISO
      GOOD
      70
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   51,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 79

      Photo

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      GOOD
      77
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/6000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      POOR
      45
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      GOOD
      71
      •   25 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      79
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot

      Connectivity

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      46
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony Alpha 3500

      Pentax K-500

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 411 g (0.91 lb / 14.50 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 470 shots
      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 710 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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