Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230
55 Imaging
77 Features
82 Overall
79
69 Imaging
49 Features
40 Overall
45
Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
Photography Glossary 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.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe 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.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-1 Mark II & Sony Alpha DSLR-A230. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax K-1 II Gallery & Sony A230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Sony A230
| K-1 II | A230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | February 2018 | May 2009 | Fresher by 107 months | |
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 230k | Crisper 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A230 Specifications
| Pentax K-1 Mark II | Sony 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 |