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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony QX30

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67
Pentax K-5 II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony QX30 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-5
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Revealed September 2014
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony QX30 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Pentax K-5 II and Sony QX30, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Lens-style by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-5 II (16MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is relatively well matched but the K-5 II (APS-C) and QX30 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The K-5 II was released 15 months before the QX30 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the K-5 II grades vs the QX30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Sony QX30

 K-5 II QX30 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen size3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution921k0kCrisper screen (+921k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Pentax K-5 II

 QX30 K-5 II 
RevealedSeptember 2014June 2013More recent by 15 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Sony QX30

 K-5 II QX30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax K-5 II provides exterior measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) while the Sony QX30 has sizing of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-5 II and Sony QX30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the K-5 II vs the QX30.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-5 II and QX30 is 60 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by checking specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 II and QX30.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-5 II because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Sony QX30 will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older K-5 II is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography features
Sony QX30 Portrait photography features
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
38
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Street photography features
Sony QX30 Street photography features
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch focus
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Sports photography factors
Sony QX30 Sports photography factors
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Travel photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Travel photography camera
65
environment proof
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not posses selfie friendly display
65
offers touch focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery (200 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography factors
Sony QX30 Landscape photography factors
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
39
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen ( inch)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery (200 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony QX30 as a Vlogging camera
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly display
35
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no external mic support
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 II and Sony QX30
 Pentax K-5 IISony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-5 II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Category Advanced DSLR Lens-style
Revealed 2013-06-04 2014-09-03
Physical type Mid-size SLR Lens-style
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-6.3
Amount of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch -
Resolution of screen 921k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless None
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 760 gr (1.68 lbs) 193 gr (0.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1235 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 pictures 200 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-BN,
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $830 $348