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Pentax K-x vs Sony A380

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Pentax K-x vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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 A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A350
  • Refreshed by Sony A390
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A380 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Pentax K-x and Sony A380, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-x (12MP) and the A380 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-x was introduced 5 months after the A380 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the K-x scores versus the A380 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony A380

 K-x A380 

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Pentax K-x

 A380 K-x 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony A380

 K-x A380 
AnnouncedDecember 2009August 2009Similar generation
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-x vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax K-x has outer 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 A380 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-x and Sony A380 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the K-x against the A380.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A380 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-x and A380 is 69 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specifications. The image underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-x and A380.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony A380 to resolve more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-x vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A380 as a Portrait photography camera
63
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
72
focusing manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-x
Street photography with Sony A380
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
77
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x Sports photography info
Sony A380 Sports photography info
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery pack (1,900 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low battery pack (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x Travel photography advice
Sony A380 Travel photography advice
54
great battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
54
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (500 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x Landscape photography info
Sony A380 Landscape photography info
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (1,900 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low battery pack (500 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-x
Vlogging with Sony A380
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
does not feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony A380
 Pentax K-xSony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-x Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-12-23 2009-08-24
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 16.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 gr (1.28 lbs) 519 gr (1.14 lbs)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 67
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 11.8
DXO Low light score 811 614
Other
Battery life 1900 shots 500 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $600 $899