Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A300

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).

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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.

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.

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.

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.