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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A77

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
64
Features
83
Overall
71

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A77 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Introduced October 2012
  • Renewed by Pentax K-50
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Launched October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony A700
  • Successor is Sony A77 II
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A77 Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Pentax K-30 versus Sony A77, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and A77 (24MP) but they use the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-30 was brought out 13 months later than the A77 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the K-30 grades vs the A77 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony A77

 K-30 A77 
LaunchedOctober 2012October 2011Fresher by 13 months

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Pentax K-30

 A77 K-30 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony A77

 K-30 A77 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Display resolution921k921kIdentical display resolution
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera often, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-30 comes with outer measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Sony A77 has measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-30 versus Sony A77 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the K-30 vs the A77.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A77 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-30 and A77 is 63 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing specs. The photograph here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and A77.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony A77 to deliver greater detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The more recent K-30 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
Portrait photography with Sony A77
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
78
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography info
Sony A77 Street photography info
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed screen
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-30
Sports photography with Sony A77
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery (410 CIPA)
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery life (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography factors
Sony A77 Travel photography factors
60
environment sealing
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
bad battery (410 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
63
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery life (470 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
Landscape photography with Sony A77
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
bad battery (410 shots)
71
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
low battery life (470 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging information
Sony A77 Vlogging information
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
76
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic socket
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sony A77
 Pentax K-30Sony SLT-A77
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-30 Sony SLT-A77
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-10-29 2011-10-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 16000
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 50
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 19
Cross focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
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 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 grams (1.43 pounds) 732 grams (1.61 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 78
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 24.0
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 13.2
DXO Low light score 1129 801
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 470 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at release $525 $900