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Pentax KF vs Sony A550

Portability
63
Imaging
73
Features
81
Overall
76
Pentax KF front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Pentax KF vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Pentax KF
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 684g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Revealed November 2022
  • Replaced the Pentax K-70
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A100
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Pentax KF vs Sony A550 Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Pentax KF versus Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the KF (24MP) and A550 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The KF was unveiled 13 years after the A550 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the KF scores vs the A550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax KF over the Sony A550

 KF A550 
ReleasedNovember 2022December 2009More modern by 158 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k922kCrisper display (+118k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax KF

 A550 KF 

Common features in the Pentax KF and Sony A550

 KF A550 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display sizing3.00"3"Equivalent display measurements
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax KF vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax KF has external dimensions of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") having a weight of 684 grams (1.51 lbs) and the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax KF versus Sony A550 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the KF compared to the A550.

Pentax KF vs Sony A550 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the KF and A550 is 63 and 63 respectively.

Pentax KF vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Pentax KF vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes purely by viewing a spec sheet. The picture below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the KF and A550.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax KF to render extra detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher KF is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax KF vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Pentax KF vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax KF vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax KF Portrait photography advice
Sony A550 Portrait photography advice
83
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax KF as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
73
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
very good ISO range (102,400)
heavier than competition in class (684g)
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax KF
Sports photography with Sony A550
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
bad battery life (410 per charge)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax KF
Travel photography with Sony A550
66
environment proof
megapixel count decent (24MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (684 grams)
52
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (480 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax KF
Landscape photography with Sony A550
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.00 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
terrible battery power (480 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax KF Vlogging highlights
Sony A550 Vlogging highlights
73
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic port
heavier than competition in class (684 grams)
9
no video recording
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Pentax KF vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax KF and Sony A550
 Pentax KFSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax KF Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2022-11-09 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 102400 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
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 mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 161 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3.00 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 684g (1.51 pounds) 632g (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life 410 shots 480 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $850 $749