Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A57

Let's look a little more in depth at the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A57, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-5 II (16MP) and the A57 (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor size (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The K-5 II was brought out 9 months later than the A57 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the K-5 II grades versus the A57 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-5 II and Sony SLT-A57. The entire galleries are available at Pentax K-5 II Gallery and Sony A57 Gallery.

For those who are looking to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-5 II features external measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) while the Sony A57 has measurements of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") along with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A57 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the K-5 II versus the A57.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 II and A57 is 60 and 64 respectively.

Generally, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing merely by seeing specifications. The visual underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-5 II and A57.

To sum up, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same MP and you should expect comparable quality of photos however you should always factor the production date of the cameras into account. The newer K-5 II is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.