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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced October 2012
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Previous Model is Pentax K10D
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both of them are sold by Pentax. The resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the K20D (15MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-30 was revealed 4 years after the K20D which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the K-30 matches up against the K20D for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax K20D

 K-30 K20D 
ReleasedOctober 2012June 2008Newer by 53 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Pentax K-30

 K20D K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K20D

 K-30 K20D 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-30 comes with outer 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) and the Pentax K20D has proportions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the K-30 versus the K20D.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and K20D is 63 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through technical specs. The image here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-30 and K20D.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax K-30 to produce extra detail because of its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent K-30 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography details
Pentax K20D Portrait photography details
74
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
71
focusing manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography features
Pentax K20D Street photography features
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
no articulating screen
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Sports photography camera
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
terrible battery (410 per charge)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography advice
Pentax K20D Travel photography advice
60
environment sealing
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery (410 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
64
environment proof
good resolution (15MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K20D Landscape photography highlights
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
terrible battery (410 shots)
70
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
small screen (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-30
Vlogging with Pentax K20D
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax K20D
 Pentax K-30Pentax K20D
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-30 Pentax K20D
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-10-29 2008-06-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max boosted ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 gr (1.43 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 65
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 11.1
DXO Low light rating 1129 639
Other
Battery life 410 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $525 $700