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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise 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-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Revealed December 2009
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-x, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are offered by Pentax. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and K-x (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-30 was revealed 2 years after the K-x which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the K-30 scores versus the K-x for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 K-30 K-x 
RevealedOctober 2012December 2009More modern by 35 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

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

 K-x K-30 

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

 K-30 K-x 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-30 offers exterior measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-x in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-30 against the K-x.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and K-x is 63 and 69 respectively.

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

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching specifications. The image here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-30 and K-x.

Plainly, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Pentax K-30 to render greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern K-30 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
Portrait photography with Pentax K-x
74
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography advice
Pentax K-x Street photography advice
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-x Sports photography factors
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
low battery (410 shots)
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery life (1,900 shots)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-30
Travel photography with Pentax K-x
60
environment proof
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery (410 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
54
great battery life (1,900 shots)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
Landscape photography with Pentax K-x
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
low battery (410 CIPA)
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (1,900 per charge)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
resolution not great (12MP)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-30
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-x
 Pentax K-30Pentax K-x
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-30 Pentax K-x
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-10-29 2009-12-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime M Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 16.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
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 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 gr (1.43 lb) 580 gr (1.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 72
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 12.5
DXO Low light score 1129 811
Other
Battery life 410 shots 1900 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Retail cost $525 $600