Pentax K-30 vs Sony A290
63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
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66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A290 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
- Released October 2012
- Newer Model is Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Released June 2010
- Superseded the Sony A230
Pentax K-30 vs Sony A290 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Pentax K-30 and Sony A290, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the A290 (14MP) is fairly close and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe K-30 was unveiled 2 years later than the A290 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A290 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the K-30 scores against the A290 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Pentax K-30 vs Sony A290 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-30 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The full galleries are available at Pentax K-30 Gallery and Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony A290
K-30 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2012 | June 2010 | Fresher by 30 months | |
Display dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
Display resolution | 921k | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax K-30
A290 | K-30 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony A290
K-30 | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | More accurate focus | |||
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Selfie screen | Neither contains selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Neither contains Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-30 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-30 has got outside measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Sony A290 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") with a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Check out the Pentax K-30 and Sony A290 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the K-30 against the A290.
Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and A290 is 63 and 66 respectively.
Pentax K-30 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to see the difference in sensor sizing purely by researching a spec sheet. The visual underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-30 and A290.
As you can see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Pentax K-30 to result in extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images more aggressively. The younger K-30 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.
Pentax K-30 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Pentax K-30 vs Sony A290 Specifications
Pentax K-30 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-30 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2012-10-29 | 2010-06-09 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Prime M | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Max boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 151 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/6000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 6.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 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 Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/160 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) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 650 gr (1.43 lb) | 549 gr (1.21 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 79 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.0 | 11.5 |
DXO Low light rating | 1129 | 615 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 410 shots | 290 shots |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI109,4 x AA | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $525 | $600 |