Pentax K-1 vs Sony HX300
55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77
63 Imaging
44 Features
51 Overall
46
Pentax K-1 vs Sony HX300 Key Specs
(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 Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Launched February 2016
- Successor is Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
- 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
- Launched February 2013
- Superseded the Sony HX200V
- Successor is Sony HX400V
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Its time to look more in depth at the Pentax K-1 vs Sony HX300, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and HX300 (20MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and HX300 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe K-1 was revealed 3 years after the HX300 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief summation of how the K-1 matches up vs the HX300 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300. The full galleries are provided at Pentax K-1 Gallery & Sony HX300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony HX300
| K-1 | HX300 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | February 2016 | February 2013 | More modern by 37 months | |
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 921k | Sharper screen (+116k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Pentax K-1
| HX300 | K-1 |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony HX300
| K-1 | HX300 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very precise focus | |||
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-1 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax K-1 enjoys external measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Sony HX300 has specifications of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).
Check the Pentax K-1 vs Sony HX300 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the K-1 versus the HX300.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and HX300 is 55 and 63 respectively.
Pentax K-1 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes simply by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 and HX300.
Clearly, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-1 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Pentax K-1 will provide you with greater detail because of its extra 16 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher K-1 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.
Pentax K-1 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony HX300 Specifications
| Pentax K-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax K-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 |
| Class | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Launched | 2016-02-17 | 2013-02-20 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | SLR-like (bridge) |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | Full frame | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 6.16 x 4.62mm |
| Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 28.5mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 36 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | - |
| Highest Possible resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 5184 x 3888 |
| Maximum native ISO | 204800 | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 33 | 9 |
| Cross focus points | 25 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | - | 24-1200mm (50.0x) |
| Largest aperture | - | f/2.8-6.3 |
| Total lenses | 151 | - |
| Crop factor | 1 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
| Screen diagonal | 3.2" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 1,037 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | - |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 4.4fps | 10.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | - |
| 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 | - |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | 1/200s | - |
| 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 (60, 50 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) | 623 grams (1.37 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") | 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 96 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | 25.4 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 14.6 | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | 3280 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 760 photos | - |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | D-LI90 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | - |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) | - |
| Card slots | Two | Single |
| Price at release | $1,499 | $339 |