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Pentax KF vs Sony A57

Portability
63
Imaging
73
Features
81
Overall
76
Pentax KF front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
85
Overall
68

Pentax KF vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Pentax KF
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 684g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Announced November 2022
  • Replaced the Pentax K-70
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Older Model is Sony A55
  • Successor is Sony A58
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Pentax KF vs Sony A57 Overview

Here is a complete review of the Pentax KF and Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the KF (24MP) and A57 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The KF was brought out 10 years later than the A57 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the KF scores vs the A57 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax KF over the Sony A57

 KF A57 
IntroducedNovember 2022September 2012Fresher by 124 months
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Pentax KF

 A57 KF 

Common features in the Pentax KF and Sony A57

 KF A57 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen dimensions3.00"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax KF vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax KF comes with outer dimensions of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") and a weight of 684 grams (1.51 lbs) while the Sony A57 has measurements of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") along with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check the Pentax KF and Sony A57 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the KF vs the A57.

Pentax KF vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the KF and A57 is 63 and 64 respectively.

Pentax KF vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Pentax KF vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing technical specs. The photograph underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the KF and A57.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Pentax KF to provide greater detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern KF should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax KF vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Pentax KF vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax KF vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax KF Portrait photography factors
Sony A57 Portrait photography factors
83
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax KF as a Street photography camera
Sony A57 as a Street photography camera
73
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
very good high ISO (102,400)
more heavy than competitors (684g)
76
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax KF
Sports photography with Sony A57
75
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery life (410 shots)
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax KF Travel photography details
Sony A57 Travel photography details
66
weather proof
good MP (24MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors (684 grams)
67
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax KF
Landscape photography with Sony A57
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.00 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
bad battery life (410 per charge)
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax KF
Vlogging with Sony A57
73
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
more heavy than competitors (684 grams)
77
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic jack
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Pentax KF vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax KF and Sony A57
 Pentax KFSony SLT-A57
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax KF Sony SLT-A57
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2022-11-09 2012-09-13
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 102400 16000
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 161 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 3.00 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings 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 sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 684 grams (1.51 lbs) 618 grams (1.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 550 photographs
Battery format 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 recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $850 $1,000