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Pentax K-x vs Sony A58

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony SLT-A58 front
Portability
68
Imaging
63
Features
72
Overall
66

Pentax K-x vs Sony A58 Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released December 2009
Sony A58
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 492g - 129 x 95 x 78mm
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony A57
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A58 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Pentax K-x and Sony A58, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the K-x (12MP) and A58 (20MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-x was announced 4 years prior to the A58 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the K-x grades against the A58 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony A58

 K-x A58 

Reasons to pick Sony A58 over the Pentax K-x

 A58 K-x 
IntroducedNovember 2013December 2009More modern by 47 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony A58

 K-x A58 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-x vs Sony A58 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-x has got outer dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Sony A58 has sizing of 129mm x 95mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 492 grams (1.08 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-x and Sony A58 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the K-x versus the A58.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A58 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-x and A58 is 69 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A58 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A58 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by looking at a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-x and A58.

Clearly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony A58 to give you extra detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged K-x is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A58 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A58 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-x vs Sony A58 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-x
Portrait photography with Sony A58
63
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
77
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Street photography camera
Sony A58 as a Street photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
78
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x Sports photography highlights
Sony A58 Sports photography highlights
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (1,900 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
81
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (690 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x Travel photography highlights
Sony A58 Travel photography highlights
54
good battery (1,900 per charge)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
63
better than average battery life (690 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x Landscape photography advice
Sony A58 Landscape photography advice
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (1,900 shots)
small screen (2.7")
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (690 per charge)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-x
Vlogging with Sony A58
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic port
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic port
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A58 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony A58
 Pentax K-xSony SLT-A58
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-x Sony SLT-A58
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-12-23 2013-11-27
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.6
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 96% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.65x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 16.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lb) 492 grams (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 129 x 95 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 74
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 12.5
DXO Low light rating 811 753
Other
Battery life 1900 shots 690 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $600 $645