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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A99

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A99 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
  • Revealed October 2012
  • Renewed by Pentax K-50
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Introduced December 2012
  • Superseded the Sony A900
  • Updated by Sony A99 II
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A99 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Pentax K-30 versus Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and A99 (24MP) and the K-30 (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The K-30 was announced at a similar time to the A99 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the K-30 grades versus the A99 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony A99

 K-30 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Pentax K-30

 A99 K-30 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k921kClearer display (+308k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony A99

 K-30 A99 
IntroducedOctober 2012December 2012Same generation
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-30 comes with outside 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) and the Sony A99 has measurements of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-30 versus Sony A99 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the K-30 vs the A99.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-30 and A99 is 63 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes just by researching a spec sheet. The pic below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and A99.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-30 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A99 will result in more detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A99 as a Portrait photography camera
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
82
focusing manually
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
Sony A99 as a Street photography camera
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 as a Sports photography camera
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
bad battery (410 per charge)
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography advice
Sony A99 Travel photography advice
60
environment proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
bad battery (410 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
environment sealing
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (500 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography features
Sony A99 Landscape photography features
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
bad battery (410 per charge)
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
not so great battery pack (500 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A99 as a Vlogging camera
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
76
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone support
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sony A99
 Pentax K-30Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-30 Sony SLT-A99
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-10-29 2012-12-12
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 19
Cross focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
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
Max 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650g (1.43 lbs) 812g (1.79 lbs)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 89
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 14.0
DXO Low light score 1129 1555
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 500 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 Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots 1 Dual
Cost at release $525 $1,998