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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 front
Portability
62
Imaging
53
Features
47
Overall
50

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump 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
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
Sony A350
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 674g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Later Model is Sony A380
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350 Overview

The following is a complete analysis of the Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the A350 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-30 was launched 4 years after the A350 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A350 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the K-30 grades versus the A350 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony A350

 K-30 A350 
ReleasedOctober 2012June 2008Newer by 54 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A350 over the Pentax K-30

 A350 K-30 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony A350

 K-30 A350 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-30 has outer measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Sony A350 has measurements of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 674 grams (1.49 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the K-30 compared to the A350.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-30 and A350 is 63 and 62 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and A350.

Clearly, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax K-30 to produce greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The more recent K-30 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography features
Sony A350 Portrait photography features
74
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
71
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography factors
Sony A350 Street photography factors
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
66
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
more heavy than competitors (674g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A350 as a Sports photography camera
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low battery pack (410 per charge)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography details
Sony A350 Travel photography details
60
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery pack (410 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
51
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (674g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A350 as a Landscape photography camera
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
low battery pack (410 per charge)
64
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging features
Sony A350 Vlogging features
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no microphone support
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A350 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sony A350
 Pentax K-30Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-30 Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-10-29 2008-06-06
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech 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 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 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
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 grams (1.43 lbs) 674 grams (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 65
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 11.5
DXO Low light score 1129 595
Other
Battery life 410 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $525 $600