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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • Successor is Pentax K-50
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • Updated by Pentax K-5 IIs
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both designed by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is pretty close and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-30 was manufactured 23 months later than the K-5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise summary of how the K-30 matches up against the K-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax K-5

 K-30 K-5 
AnnouncedOctober 2012December 2010Fresher by 23 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax K-30

 K-5 K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-5

 K-30 K-5 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution921k921kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-30 offers exterior measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the K-30 compared to the K-5.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and K-5 is 63 and 60 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The visual here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and K-5.

Clearly, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of photos however you have to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The younger K-30 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography advice
Pentax K-5 Street photography advice
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography info
Pentax K-5 Sports photography info
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-5 Travel photography factors
60
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery (410 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
65
weather proof
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography factors
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-30
Vlogging with Pentax K-5
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-5
 Pentax K-30Pentax K-5
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-30 Pentax K-5
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-10-29 2010-12-18
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime M Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest boosted ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650g (1.43 pounds) 740g (1.63 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 82
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 14.1
DXO Low light rating 1129 1162
Other
Battery life 410 images 980 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI90
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $525 $800