Clicky

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230

Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 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
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-1
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A200
  • Successor is Sony A290
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A230, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the K-1 II (36MP) and A230 (10MP) and the K-1 II (Full frame) and A230 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The K-1 II was released 8 years later than the A230 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the K-1 II scores versus the A230 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Sony A230

 K-1 II A230 
RevealedFebruary 2018May 2009Fresher by 107 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax K-1 II

 A230 K-1 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A230

 K-1 II A230 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-1 II provides outer dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A230 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the K-1 II vs the A230.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 II and A230 is 55 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing specifications. The photograph underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-1 II and A230.

To sum up, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-1 II because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax K-1 II will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 26MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher K-1 II should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography factors
Sony A230 Portrait photography factors
86
you can focus manually
megapixel count high (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
54
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Street photography info
Sony A230 Street photography info
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
very good high ISO (819,200)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Sports photography information
Sony A230 Sports photography information
77
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.4 frames per second)
low battery power (670 shots)
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 II as a Travel photography camera
Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
53
weather sealing
megapixel count high (36MP)
low battery power (670 CIPA)
heavier than competition (1,010g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
45
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography details
Sony A230 Landscape photography details
82
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
low battery power (670 shots)
51
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.7")
no liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery life (230 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-1 II
Vlogging with Sony A230
32
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition (1,010g)
9
no video recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 II and Sony A230
 Pentax K-1 Mark IISony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-1 Mark II Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2018-02-22 2009-05-18
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME IV Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 819200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 33 9
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF4 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.4fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
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, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010g (2.23 lbs) 490g (1.08 lbs)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life 670 photos 230 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Dual 1
Price at release $1,737 $569