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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68
Pentax K-5 IIs front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Later Model is Sony A290
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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the K-5 IIs (16MP) and A230 (10MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-5 IIs was revealed 4 years after the A230 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the K-5 IIs grades against the A230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Sony A230

 K-5 IIs A230 
AnnouncedJune 2013May 2009More modern by 50 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 A230 K-5 IIs 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony A230

 K-5 IIs A230 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-5 IIs features physical dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) and the Sony A230 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the K-5 IIs compared to the A230.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 IIs and A230 is 60 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through specifications. The image underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 IIs and A230.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Pentax K-5 IIs to provide extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern K-5 IIs should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A230 as a Portrait photography camera
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography information
Sony A230 Street photography information
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography info
Sony A230 Sports photography info
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
not so great battery (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Travel photography camera
Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
65
environment proofing
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
45
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery (230 shots)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography highlights
Sony A230 Landscape photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview
low resolution sensor (10MP)
not so great battery (230 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Vlogging camera
Sony A230 as a Vlogging camera
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic port
display is not selfie friendly
9
can't record video
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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony A230
 Pentax K-5 IIsSony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-5 IIs Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-06-04 2009-05-18
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 760g (1.68 lbs) 490g (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 82 63
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 11.4
DXO Low light score 1208 531
Other
Battery life 980 pictures 230 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $749 $569