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Pentax K-x vs Sony A300

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
50
Features
45
Overall
48

Pentax K-x vs Sony A300 Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Introduced January 2008
  • Replacement is Sony A330
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A300 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Pentax K-x and Sony A300, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-x (12MP) and the A300 (10MP) is very well matched and they feature the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-x was announced 24 months after the A300 making the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the K-x matches up against the A300 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony A300

 K-x A300 
IntroducedDecember 2009January 2008More modern by 24 months

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax K-x

 A300 K-x 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony A300

 K-x A300 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display size
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Pentax K-x vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax K-x has outside measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Sony A300 has sizing of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-x and Sony A300 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the K-x and the A300.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A300 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-x and A300 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by checking technical specs. The pic underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-x and A300.

As you have seen, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax K-x to give you greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The more recent K-x will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-x vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x Portrait photography details
Sony A300 Portrait photography details
63
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
low MP (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-x Street photography features
Sony A300 Street photography features
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
74
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Sports photography camera
Sony A300 as a Sports photography camera
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (1,900 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-x
Travel photography with Sony A300
54
great battery pack (1,900 shots)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
45
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x Landscape photography advice
Sony A300 Landscape photography advice
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (1,900 shots)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
57
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
low MP (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x Vlogging information
Sony A300 Vlogging information
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
9
no video recording
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony A300
 Pentax K-xSony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-x Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-12-23 2008-01-30
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 16.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video 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 None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580g (1.28 pounds) 632g (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 64
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 11.4
DXO Low light score 811 538
Other
Battery life 1900 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card Compact Flash
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $600 $0