Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A300
60 Imaging
57 Features
83 Overall
67


64 Imaging
49 Features
45 Overall
47
Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A300 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Revealed June 2013
- Earlier Model is Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
- Announced January 2008
- Refreshed by Sony A330

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A300 Overview
Following is a thorough assessment of the Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony A300, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the K-5 IIs (16MP) and A300 (10MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The K-5 IIs was unveiled 5 years after the A300 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the K-5 IIs matches up versus the A300 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A300 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony Alpha DSLR-A300. The full galleries are available at Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery and Sony A300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Sony A300
K-5 IIs | A300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2013 | ![]() | January 2008 | More modern by 66 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax K-5 IIs
A300 | K-5 IIs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony A300
K-5 IIs | A300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 IIs provides exterior measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) while the Sony A300 has proportions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Examine the Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony A300 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the K-5 IIs vs the A300.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the K-5 IIs and A300 is 60 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing technical specs. The image below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-5 IIs and A300.
As you have seen, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Pentax K-5 IIs to offer extra detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The newer K-5 IIs is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A300 Specifications
Pentax K-5 IIs | Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-5 IIs | Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2013-06-04 | 2008-01-30 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Prime II | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | - |
Peak resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 3872 x 2592 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 51200 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Min enhanced ISO | 80 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 921 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | - |
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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 760 grams (1.68 lbs) | 632 grams (1.39 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") | 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 82 | 64 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.9 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.1 | 11.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 1208 | 538 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 980 images | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | - |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Compact Flash |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $749 | $0 |