Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9
63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60


65 Imaging
73 Features
93 Overall
81
Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Revealed October 2012
- Successor is Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
- Announced April 2017
- Replacement is Sony A9 II

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9 Overview
Below is a in-depth assessment of the Pentax K-30 versus Sony A9, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and A9 (24MP) and the K-30 (APS-C) and A9 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizes.

The K-30 was brought out 5 years earlier than the A9 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the K-30 grades against the A9 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-30 and Sony Alpha A9. The entire galleries are available at Pentax K-30 Gallery and Sony A9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony A9
K-30 | A9 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Pentax K-30
A9 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2017 | ![]() | October 2012 | More recent by 54 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 921k | Crisper display (+519k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony A9
K-30 | A9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-30 enjoys outer dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax K-30 versus Sony A9 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the K-30 and the A9.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and A9 is 63 and 65 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through specifications. The visual here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-30 and A9.
Plainly, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-30 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony A9 will render greater detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics more aggressively. The older K-30 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9 Specifications
Pentax K-30 | Sony Alpha A9 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-30 | Sony Alpha A9 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Pro Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-10-29 | 2017-04-19 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Prime M | BIONZ X |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 35.6 x 23.8mm |
Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 847.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 51200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | 204800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 693 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
Total lenses | 151 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 921k dots | 1,440k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,686k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.78x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/6000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Fastest silent shutter speed | - | 1/32000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames/s | 20.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 650 gr (1.43 lbs) | 673 gr (1.48 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 79 | 92 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 24.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.0 | 13.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 1129 | 3517 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 410 pictures | 650 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI109,4 x AA | NP-FZ100 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) |
Card slots | Single | 2 |
Launch price | $525 | $4,498 |