Pentax K-30 vs Sony A560
63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60


64 Imaging
54 Features
78 Overall
63
Pentax K-30 vs Sony A560 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Revealed October 2012
- Successor is Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Released August 2010
- Previous Model is Sony A500

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A560 Overview
Lets take a closer look at the Pentax K-30 vs Sony A560, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the A560 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

The K-30 was unveiled 2 years after the A560 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A560 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the K-30 grades against the A560 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A560 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-30 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A560. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax K-30 Gallery & Sony A560 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony A560
K-30 | A560 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2012 | ![]() | August 2010 | Newer by 27 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A560 over the Pentax K-30
A560 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 921k | Sharper display (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony A560
K-30 | A560 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-30 vs Sony A560 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-30 has outer measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Sony A560 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).
Compare the Pentax K-30 vs Sony A560 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the K-30 versus the A560.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and A560 is 63 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A560 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by going through a spec sheet. The picture here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-30 and A560.
Clearly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax K-30 to show extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The fresher K-30 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A560 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A560 Specifications
Pentax K-30 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-30 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2012-10-29 | 2010-08-24 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Prime M | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 15 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen 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 | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/6000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | 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 |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 pounds) | 599 gr (1.32 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 79 | 70 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.0 | 12.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 1129 | 817 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 410 pictures | 1050 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI109,4 x AA | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Dual |
Launch pricing | $525 | $650 |