Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-30
56
SCORE
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Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-5 II
57
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-30 and the Pentax K-5 II are both 2012 DSLRs. The K-30 is the lighter carry at 650 g, against 760 g for the K-5 II. It is also slightly smaller, measuring 130 x 97 x 71 mm next to the K-5 II's 131 x 97 x 73 mm, which makes it the easier body to pack for travel. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 22, 2012 | September 11, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 97 x 71 mm | 131 x 97 x 73 mm |
| Camera weight | 650 g | 760 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe K-5 II is the stronger pick for action and bright-light shooting, offering 7 fps against the K-30's 6 fps and a 1/8000-second top shutter speed against 1/6000. That shorter exposure keeps wide apertures usable in strong sunlight, and the extra frame per second gives you one more chance at a peak moment. The core stills specifications are shared. Both use the Pentax KAF mount, so existing K-mount lenses fit either body, and both deliver 16.3 megapixel files from an APS-C CMOS sensor. Each offers 11 autofocus points, in-body stabilisation and a pentaprism viewfinder. Standard ISO spans 100 to 12800 on both, and the K-5 II reaches ISO 51200 expanded against 25600 for the K-30. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.3 MP050 | 16.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4928 x 3264 | 4928 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.7 x 23.7 | 15.7 x 23.7 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Pentax KAF | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime M | Prime II |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
600080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe K-30 is the better pick for video, with a higher maximum frame rate for smoother movement. It records at up to 30 fps, while the K-5 II tops out at 25 fps. The file formats differ as well, with MPEG-4 on the K-30 and Motion JPEG on the K-5 II. Full HD is the maximum resolution on both cameras, and both offer built-in timelapse, so the shared ceiling leaves frame rate as the deciding video difference. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 25 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth bodies are weather sealed, so neither gives up that protection for landscape and wildlife work. Each also offers a built-in flash, an external flash shoe and live view for waist-level or tripod framing. The rear screens are a similarity: a fixed 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots on each body. Neither camera has GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or touch control, so wireless transfer and geotagging are absent from both. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe K-5 II is the stronger choice for long shooting days, rated at 980 shots per charge against 410 for the K-30. It uses the D-LI90P battery in place of the K-30's D-LI109. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and neither charges over USB. Given its lower rating, a spare battery is worth packing for the K-30 on long days. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI109 | D-LI90P |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 980 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For sports, wildlife in strong light and all-day sessions, the K-5 II is the stronger body. Its 7 fps burst, 1/8000-second shutter and 980-shot battery rating all support that work. Choose the K-30 if you want a lighter 650 g body for travel and hiking, along with its higher video frame rate.
Both use the same Pentax KAF mount, so neither restricts your lens choice, and resolution and in-body stabilisation are shared. The decision comes down to burst, shutter and battery on the K-5 II side, against the K-30's lighter body and higher video frame rate.