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Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX90V

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
63
Overall
51

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX90V Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Later Model is Pentax K-50
Sony HX90V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Revealed April 2015
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX90V Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Pentax K-30 and Sony HX90V, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the HX90V (18MP) is very well matched but the K-30 (APS-C) and HX90V (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The K-30 was brought out 3 years earlier than the HX90V which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX90V being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the K-30 grades vs the HX90V when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony HX90V

 K-30 HX90V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Pentax K-30

 HX90V K-30 
RevealedApril 2015October 2012Newer by 29 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony HX90V

 K-30 HX90V 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution921k921kIdentical display resolution
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX90V Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-30 comes with outer measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Sony HX90V has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-30 and Sony HX90V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the K-30 versus the HX90V.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX90V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and HX90V is 63 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX90V top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX90V Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions merely by looking at technical specs. The image underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and HX90V.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The K-30 featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Sony HX90V will give more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged K-30 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX90V sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX90V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX90V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography factors
Sony HX90V Portrait photography factors
74
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
45
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18MP)
includes face detection focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography advice
Sony HX90V Street photography advice
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
69
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (245g)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography info
Sony HX90V Sports photography info
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery (410 CIPA)
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery power (360 per charge)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
Sony HX90V Travel photography info
60
weather proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
bad battery (410 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
76
good battery power (360 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX90V Landscape photography highlights
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
bad battery (410 per charge)
53
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
good battery power (360 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-30
Vlogging with Sony HX90V
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
75
decently wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (245 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of external microphone port
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony HX90V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sony HX90V
 Pentax K-30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-10-29 2015-04-14
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 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
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
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
Number of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.5x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650g (1.43 lb) 245g (0.54 lb)
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 All around 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 shots 360 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA NP-BX1
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $525 $440