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Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(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
  • Announced October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5N
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very close and they come with the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-30 was brought out 2 years after the NEX-5 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summation of how the K-30 grades against the NEX-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony NEX-5

 K-30 NEX-5 
ReleasedOctober 2012June 2010Newer by 30 months
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax K-30

 NEX-5 K-30 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony NEX-5

 K-30 NEX-5 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-30 enjoys physical 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 NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the K-30 against the NEX-5.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and NEX-5 is 63 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching specs. The pic here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and NEX-5.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax K-30 to provide you with more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The newer K-30 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography info
Sony NEX-5 Street photography info
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
no moving screen
76
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography advice
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery (410 shots)
52
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography details
60
environment proof
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
not so great battery (410 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
59
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
68
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging details
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone socket
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic socket
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sony NEX-5
 Pentax K-30Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-30 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-10-29 2010-06-07
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
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 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Number of lenses 151 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
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, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650g (1.43 lb) 287g (0.63 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 69
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 12.2
DXO Low light rating 1129 796
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 330 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA NPFW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at release $525 $599