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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230

Portability
55
Imaging
75
Features
82
Overall
77
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
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
  • Launched May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Replacement is Sony A290
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230 Overview

Below is a extended comparison of the Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and A230 (10MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and A230 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-1 was announced 6 years later than the A230 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the K-1 matches up against the A230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony A230

 K-1 A230 
LaunchedFebruary 2016May 2009More recent by 83 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax K-1

 A230 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony A230

 K-1 A230 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax K-1 has got outside measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Sony A230 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the K-1 versus the A230.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and A230 is 55 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements only by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 and A230.

As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-1 with its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-1 will produce greater detail with its extra 26MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The newer K-1 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography info
Sony A230 Portrait photography info
85
has manual focus
high resolution (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
54
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
low MP (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
70
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
good high ISO (204,800)
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography highlights
Sony A230 Sports photography highlights
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high resolution (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery (760 shots)
46
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-1
Travel photography with Sony A230
53
weather sealing
high resolution (36MP)
terrible battery (760 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
45
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery pack (230 per charge)
low MP (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
Landscape photography with Sony A230
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high resolution (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (204,800)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (760 per charge)
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
low MP (10MP)
low battery pack (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sony A230
 Pentax K-1Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2016-02-17 2009-05-18
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 204800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 33 9
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.4 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash options 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 gr (2.23 pounds) 490 gr (1.08 pounds)
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 rating 96 63
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.6 11.4
DXO Low light rating 3280 531
Other
Battery life 760 pictures 230 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 2 Single
Launch cost $1,499 $569