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Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V front
Portability
91
Imaging
42
Features
46
Overall
43

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • Successor is Pentax K-50
Sony HX10V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-400mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 234g - 105 x 60 x 34mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Newer Model is Sony HX20V
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the HX10V (18MP) is very well matched but the K-30 (APS-C) and HX10V (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-30 was introduced 9 months later than the HX10V which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX10V being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the K-30 scores vs the HX10V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony HX10V

 K-30 HX10V 
LaunchedOctober 2012February 2012More recent by 9 months
Manual focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Sony HX10V over the Pentax K-30

 HX10V K-30 
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony HX10V

 K-30 HX10V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and measurements. 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) whilst the Sony HX10V has proportions of 105mm x 60mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the K-30 versus the HX10V.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and HX10V is 63 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by reading through specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-30 and HX10V.

All in all, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The K-30 having a larger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Sony HX10V will give you more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher K-30 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography factors
Sony HX10V Portrait photography factors
74
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
38
decent MP (18MP)
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-30
Street photography with Sony HX10V
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
screen is fixed
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (234g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX10V as a Sports photography camera
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 shots)
49
excellent zoom range (24-400mm 16.7 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-30
Travel photography with Sony HX10V
60
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery (410 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than competitors in class (234g)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (400mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
Landscape photography with Sony HX10V
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
terrible battery (410 shots)
45
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
Sony HX10V Vlogging highlights
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
missing mic support
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (234g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no microphone jack
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX10V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sony HX10V
 Pentax K-30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-10-29 2012-02-28
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime M BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-400mm (16.7x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 grams (1.43 pounds) 234 grams (0.52 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 105 x 60 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1129 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 images 320 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA NP-BG1
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $525 $616