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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 front
Portability
67
Imaging
50
Features
50
Overall
50

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Introduced July 2014
Sony A330
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 529g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A300
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and A330 (10MP) and the XG-1 (1/2.3") and A330 (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The XG-1 was launched 5 years after the A330 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A330 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a brief summation of how the XG-1 matches up against the A330 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony A330

 XG-1 A330 
ReleasedJuly 2014May 2009More modern by 63 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A330 over the Pentax XG-1

 A330 XG-1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A330

 XG-1 A330 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax XG-1 has got external measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Sony A330 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 529 grams (1.17 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the XG-1 vs the A330.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and A330 is 66 and 67 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at technical specs. The pic underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and A330.

As you have seen, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The XG-1 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax XG-1 will give you greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more modern XG-1 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax XG-1
Portrait photography with Sony A330
40
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
62
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography information
Sony A330 Street photography information
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than average in class (567g)
75
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax XG-1
Sports photography with Sony A330
45
great zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
50
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
bad battery (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography highlights
Sony A330 Travel photography highlights
52
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (1248mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
more heavy than average in class (567g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
44
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery (230 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A330 Landscape photography highlights
45
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
54
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
bad battery (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
Vlogging with Sony A330
25
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (567g)
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A330 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony A330
 Pentax XG-1Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2014-07-15 2009-05-18
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot -
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 9.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 10.00 m
Flash modes Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567 gr (1.25 pounds) 529 gr (1.17 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 535
Other
Battery life 240 photos 230 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $599 $545