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Pentax KP vs Sony HX20V

Portability
61
Imaging
68
Features
76
Overall
71
Pentax KP front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax KP vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Introduced January 2017
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony HX10V
  • New Model is Sony HX30V
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Pentax KP vs Sony HX20V Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Pentax KP and Sony HX20V, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the KP (24MP) and HX20V (18MP) and the KP (APS-C) and HX20V (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The KP was revealed 4 years after the HX20V which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summary of how the KP matches up against the HX20V with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Sony HX20V

 KP HX20V 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017July 2012Newer by 56 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Pentax KP

 HX20V KP 
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax KP and Sony HX20V

 KP HX20V 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Pentax KP vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax KP offers exterior dimensions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") having a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax KP and Sony HX20V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the KP compared to the HX20V.

Pentax KP vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the KP and HX20V is 61 and 90 respectively.

Pentax KP vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Pentax KP vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at specs. The picture underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the KP and HX20V.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The KP using its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Pentax KP will resolve extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The more modern KP is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax KP vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Pentax KP vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax KP vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax KP Portrait photography info
Sony HX20V Portrait photography info
80
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
45
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
features face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax KP Street photography information
Sony HX20V Street photography information
76
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
good high ISO (819,200)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (254g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax KP
Sports photography with Sony HX20V
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/24,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
terrible battery power (390 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax KP as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Travel photography camera
62
weather proof
good resolution (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery power (390 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax KP as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
terrible battery power (390 per charge)
50
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax KP Vlogging advice
Sony HX20V Vlogging advice
35
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (254 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
missing external mic jack
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Pentax KP vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax KP and Sony HX20V
 Pentax KPSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax KP Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2017-01-26 2012-07-20
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME IV BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 819200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 27 9
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/1600s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/24000s -
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703 grams (1.55 lbs) 254 grams (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 390 pictures 320 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $747 $397