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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A700

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A700 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
  • Revealed October 2012
  • Successor is Pentax K-50
Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Released December 2007
  • Succeeded the Konica Minolta 7D
  • Refreshed by Sony A77
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A700 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Pentax K-30 versus Sony A700, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and A700 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-30 was released 4 years later than the A700 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the K-30 scores vs the A700 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony A700

 K-30 A700 
ReleasedOctober 2012December 2007More recent by 60 months
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Pentax K-30

 A700 K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony A700

 K-30 A700 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-30 has 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 Sony A700 has proportions of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") along with a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-30 versus Sony A700 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the K-30 vs the A700.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and A700 is 63 and 58 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements purely by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-30 and A700.

As you can see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax K-30 to resolve more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics more aggressively. The newer K-30 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography information
Sony A700 Portrait photography information
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
54
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
Sony A700 as a Street photography camera
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography information
Sony A700 Sports photography information
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery (410 per charge)
56
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max frames per second very slow (5.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
Sony A700 Travel photography info
60
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery (410 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
49
weather proofing
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography information
Sony A700 Landscape photography information
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
bad battery (410 shots)
62
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
does not have liveview
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-30
Vlogging with Sony A700
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no external microphone support
9
no video
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sony A700
 Pentax K-30Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-30 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-10-29 2007-12-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.6x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic 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 gr (1.43 lbs) 768 gr (1.69 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 66
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 11.9
DXO Low light score 1129 581
Other
Battery life 410 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots One Two
Pricing at launch $525 $1,000