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Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-30

Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-1
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Successor is Pentax K-50
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Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Pentax K-1 II versus Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are built by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-1 II (36MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the K-1 II (Full frame) and K-30 (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The K-1 II was released 5 years after the K-30 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the K-1 II grades against the K-30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Pentax K-30

 K-1 II K-30 
LaunchedFebruary 2018October 2012More modern by 65 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax K-1 II

 K-30 K-1 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 II and Pentax K-30

 K-1 II K-30 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-1 II has outer measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-1 II versus Pentax K-30 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the K-1 II and the K-30.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-1 II and K-30 is 55 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reading specs. The picture underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 II and K-30.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The K-1 II due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-1 II will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 20 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The younger K-1 II should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography highlights
86
focusing manually
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW files
74
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-1 II
Street photography with Pentax K-30
70
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
very good high ISO (819,200)
heavier than competitors in class (1,010g)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Sports photography factors
Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
77
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.4 fps)
not so great battery pack (670 per charge)
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low battery life (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-1 II
Travel photography with Pentax K-30
53
weather proofing
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (670 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (1,010 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
60
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
low battery life (410 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography info
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography info
82
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good high ISO (819,200)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery pack (670 per charge)
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
low battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 II as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
32
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic port
does not contain selfie friendly screen
heavier than competitors in class (1,010 grams)
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing external mic port
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Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 II and Pentax K-30
 Pentax K-1 Mark IIPentax K-30
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-1 Mark II Pentax K-30
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2018-02-22 2012-10-29
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME IV Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 7360 x 4912 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 819200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 33 11
Cross type focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF4 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.4fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 gr (2.23 lbs) 650 gr (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1129
Other
Battery life 670 shots 410 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two Single
Price at release $1,737 $525