The Pentax K-500 stores its shutter count in PEF MakerNote metadata, readable via ExifTool. Alternatively, set the camera to DNG output and drop the file into shuttercount.app — DNG is fully supported in the browser. The camera menu also provides the count directly.
Check Shutter Count →The Pentax K-500 (2013) is the entry-level member of Pentax’s 2013 K-mount DSLR lineup, sharing the same 16.3 MP APS-C CMOS sensor as the K-30 and K-50 but targeting the most budget-conscious buyer. It omits weather sealing and Shake Reduction IBIS to reach a lower price point, while retaining the practical AA battery system (4 × AA) that requires no proprietary charger — a notable advantage for travel photography and remote locations.
The K-500 shoots PEF (Pentax native RAW) or DNG, and Pentax reliably embeds the shutter count in PEF MakerNote data. DNG output is also supported directly in the shuttercount.app browser tool.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Weather | SR IBIS | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentax K-500 | 2013 | 16.3 MP APS-C | None | No | 4 × AA |
| Pentax K-50 (AW variant) | 2013 | 16.3 MP APS-C | 86 seals | No | 4 × AA |
| Pentax K-30 (predecessor era) | 2012 | 16.3 MP APS-C | 77 seals | Yes | D-LI109 Li-ion |
| Pentax K-S1 (successor era) | 2014 | 20.1 MP APS-C | 22 seals | Yes | D-LI109 Li-ion |
exiftool -ShutterCount yourfile.PEF in a terminal. Pentax reliably embeds the shutter count in PEF MakerNote data. This is the most convenient desktop method.The K-500 was an entry-level DSLR aimed at beginners and budget-conscious hobbyists. Most used copies carry relatively low shutter counts, as the target audience tends to shoot less intensively than advanced photographers.
| Actuation Count | % of Est. Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 10,000 | 0 – 10 % | Low use — good condition for its age |
| 10,000 – 50,000 | 10 – 50 % | Moderate use — normal for a hobbyist |
| 50,000 – 80,000 | 50 – 80 % | Heavy use — inspect carefully, price accordingly |
| 80,000 + | 80 %+ | Near or past estimated life |
Pentax did not officially publish a shutter life rating. Based on the K-500’s entry-level positioning and the community estimate shared with the K-30 and K-50, ~100,000 actuations is the widely accepted figure.
Both cameras were released in 2013 with the same 16.3 MP sensor and AA battery design. The K-50 adds 86 dust and water-resistant seals (AWK weatherproofing) and is a better choice for outdoor use in rain or dusty conditions. The K-500 has no weather sealing, making it a lighter and cheaper option for casual use in dry conditions.
Yes. The Pentax K-500 accepts all K-mount lenses from 1975 onwards, including vintage manual-focus SMC Pentax and Takumar lenses (with stop-down metering), modern DA/DA* autofocus lenses, and full-frame FA lenses. This vast compatibility is a key advantage of the K-mount system.
Both formats embed the shutter count reliably from the K-500. DNG has the advantage of being supported directly in the shuttercount.app browser tool (no desktop software needed), while PEF requires ExifTool on a desktop. For everyday shooting, PEF offers slightly better Pentax-specific colour rendering; for shutter count verification, DNG is more convenient.