Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX80
63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60


91 Imaging
44 Features
60 Overall
50
Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX80 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Launched October 2012
- Newer Model is Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200 (Increase to 12800)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Released March 2016

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX80 Overview
Below is a extended overview of the Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX80, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the HX80 (18MP) is pretty close but the K-30 (APS-C) and HX80 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizes.

The K-30 was launched 4 years before the HX80 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera.
Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the K-30 scores versus the HX80 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX80 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-30 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80. The complete galleries are available at Pentax K-30 Gallery and Sony HX80 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony HX80
K-30 | HX80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing |
Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Pentax K-30
HX80 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2016 | ![]() | October 2012 | More recent by 40 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony HX80
K-30 | HX80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Same screen resolution |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-30 has got physical dimensions 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 HX80 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).
Compare the Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX80 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the K-30 against the HX80.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and HX80 is 63 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements only by viewing specs. The photograph below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-30 and HX80.
As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The K-30 because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony HX80 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older K-30 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX80 Specifications
Pentax K-30 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-30 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2012-10-29 | 2016-03-07 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime M | Bionz X |
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 surface area | 372.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 18 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4896 x 3672 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | - |
Cross focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Available lenses | 151 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 921 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/6000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless | Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180 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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 650 gr (1.43 lbs) | 245 gr (0.54 lbs) |
Dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 79 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.0 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 1129 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 410 photos | 390 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI109,4 x AA | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $525 | $368 |