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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A230

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-30
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A200
  • Newer Model is Sony A290
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A230 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Pentax K-50 versus Sony A230, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the K-50 (16MP) and A230 (10MP) but they feature the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-50 was manufactured 4 years after the A230 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the K-50 scores versus the A230 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Sony A230

 K-50 A230 
AnnouncedNovember 2013May 2009More modern by 56 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax K-50

 A230 K-50 

Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Sony A230

 K-50 A230 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-50 provides exterior measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-50 versus Sony A230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the K-50 versus the A230.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the K-50 and A230 is 63 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes purely by going through technical specs. The image underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-50 and A230.

As you can tell, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Pentax K-50 to provide more detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more modern K-50 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
Portrait photography with Sony A230
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-50 Street photography factors
Sony A230 Street photography factors
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
heavier than others (650 grams)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 Sports photography factors
Sony A230 Sports photography factors
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
low battery life (410 shots)
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-50 Travel photography info
Sony A230 Travel photography info
56
weather proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
low battery life (410 shots)
heavier than others (650g)
does not have selfie friendly display
45
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery (230 per charge)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-50
Landscape photography with Sony A230
74
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
low battery life (410 per charge)
51
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 Vlogging details
Sony A230 Vlogging details
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than others (650 grams)
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax K-50 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Sony A230
 Pentax K-50Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-50 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-11-27 2009-05-18
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor PRIME M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 51600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 grams (1.43 lb) 490 grams (1.08 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 63
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 11.4
DXO Low light score 1120 531
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 230 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $610 $569