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Pentax K-30 vs Sony TF1

Portability
63
Imaging
56
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Pentax K-30 vs Sony TF1 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Revealed October 2012
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
Sony TF1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.6-4.7) lens
  • 152g - 102 x 62 x 23mm
  • Released June 2013
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony TF1 Overview

Here is a extensive assessment of the Pentax K-30 versus Sony TF1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the TF1 (16MP) is relatively similar but the K-30 (APS-C) and TF1 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The K-30 was brought out 7 months earlier than the TF1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony TF1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the K-30 matches up vs the TF1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony TF1

 K-30 TF1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony TF1 over the Pentax K-30

 TF1 K-30 
ReleasedJune 2013October 2012Fresher by 7 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony TF1

 K-30 TF1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Pentax K-30 vs Sony TF1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax K-30 comes with external measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Sony TF1 has specifications of 102mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-30 versus Sony TF1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the K-30 and the TF1.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony TF1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and TF1 is 63 and 94 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony TF1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony TF1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specifications. The graphic underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and TF1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have got the exact same MP albeit different sensor sizing. The K-30 provides the bigger sensor which should make achieving bokeh simpler. The older K-30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony TF1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony TF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sony TF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TF1 as a Portrait photography camera
73
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
Sony TF1 as a Street photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
weather proof
lighter than others (152g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
Sony TF1 as a Sports photography camera
66
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (6.0 fps)
bad battery pack (410 shots)
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography features
Sony TF1 Travel photography features
60
weather sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
bad battery pack (410 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than others (152g)
weather proof
includes focus via touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery (240 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
Landscape photography with Sony TF1
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
40
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather proof
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery (240 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging advice
Sony TF1 Vlogging advice
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
33
quite wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than others (152g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony TF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sony TF1
 Pentax K-30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TF1
Class Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Revealed 2012-10-29 2013-06-21
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
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 - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.6-4.7
Macro focus range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 grams (1.43 pounds) 152 grams (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 102 x 62 x 23mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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 photographs 240 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA NP-BN
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $525 $266