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Pentax K-x vs Sony A580

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Pentax K-x vs Sony A580 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced May 2011
  • Replaced the Sony A100
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A580 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Pentax K-x versus Sony A580, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-x (12MP) and A580 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-x was revealed 17 months before the A580 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the K-x grades against the A580 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony A580

 K-x A580 

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Pentax K-x

 A580 K-x 
IntroducedMay 2011December 2009Newer by 17 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony A580

 K-x A580 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-x vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-x enjoys physical measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Sony A580 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-x versus Sony A580 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the K-x and the A580.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A580 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-x and A580 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-x and A580.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Sony A580 to produce greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged K-x will be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-x vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x Portrait photography information
Sony A580 Portrait photography information
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
73
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-x Street photography factors
Sony A580 Street photography factors
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
75
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Sports photography camera
Sony A580 as a Sports photography camera
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery power (1,900 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery pack (1,050 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Travel photography camera
Sony A580 as a Travel photography camera
54
great battery power (1,900 per charge)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
60
great battery pack (1,050 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x Landscape photography info
Sony A580 Landscape photography info
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (1,900 per charge)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
73
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (1,050 per charge)
has double storage slots
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x Vlogging factors
Sony A580 Vlogging factors
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone port
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony A580
 Pentax K-xSony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-x Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-12-23 2011-05-26
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 16.00 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 grams (1.28 lbs) 599 grams (1.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 80
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 13.3
DXO Low light score 811 1121
Other
Battery life 1900 pictures 1050 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Two
Launch price $600 $848