Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7
63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
![Pentax K-30 front Pentax K-30 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-30/Pentax-K-30-front.jpg)
![Pentax K-7 front Pentax K-7 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Pentax-K-7.jpg)
60 Imaging
55 Features
69 Overall
60
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Announced October 2012
- Newer Model is Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 2000 (Increase to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Released October 2009
- Refreshed by Pentax K-5
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 Overview
Lets examine more in depth at the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-7, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both designed by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is pretty close and they come with the same exact sensor size (APS-C).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
The K-30 was released 3 years later than the K-7 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick summary of how the K-30 matches up against the K-7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-30 & Pentax K-7. The complete galleries are available at Pentax K-30 Gallery & Pentax K-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax K-7
K-30 | K-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2012 | ![]() | October 2009 | More recent by 38 months |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Pentax K-30
K-7 | K-30 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-7
K-30 | K-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch screen |
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-30 comes with exterior dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Pentax K-7 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).
Check the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-7 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the K-30 vs the K-7.
![Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-30-vs-Pentax-K-7-size-comparison.jpg)
Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-30 and K-7 is 63 and 60 respectively.
![Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-30-vs-Pentax-K-7-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements only by viewing specifications. The graphic here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-30 and K-7.
To sum up, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Pentax K-30 to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The fresher K-30 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.
![Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-K-30-vs-Pentax-K-7-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-30-vs-Pentax-K-7-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications
Pentax K-30 | Pentax K-7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Pentax |
Model | Pentax K-30 | Pentax K-7 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2012-10-29 | 2009-10-02 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Prime M | Prime II |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 15 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4672 x 3104 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 2000 |
Max enhanced ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 11 |
Cross focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Amount of lenses | 151 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | TFT color LCD with AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/6000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 6.0 frames per second | 5.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 13.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/180 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 650g (1.43 pounds) | 750g (1.65 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 Overall score | 79 | 61 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.0 | 10.6 |
DXO Low light score | 1129 | 536 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 410 photos | 980 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI109,4 x AA | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/MMC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $525 | $599 |