Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 IIs — 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 IIs
57
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-30 and the Pentax K-5 IIs are both 2012 APS-C DSLRs on the Pentax KAF mount, so one lens collection serves either body. Both offer a 16.3-megapixel CMOS sensor at the same resolution, giving prints and heavy crops the same pixel count to work from. The K-5 IIs is the heavier body at 760 g against 650 g for the K-30, a 110-gram difference in carried weight. It is also marginally deeper at 73 mm versus 71 mm. | ||
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 IIs is the stronger pick for fast action and bright daylight. It shoots at 7 fps against 6 fps for the K-30, capturing slightly more frames in a burst of a moving subject. Its 1/8000-second top shutter speed, versus 1/6000, lets you keep wide apertures open in strong sunlight without overexposing. When light fades, the K-5 IIs offers an expanded ISO ceiling of 51200 against 25600 for the K-30, while both share the same 100 to 12800 native range. Several shooting specifications also match: 11 autofocus points, in-body stabilisation for steadier handheld frames, and an optical pentaprism viewfinder. | ||
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 video camera here. Both cap out at Full HD resolution, but the K-30's maximum frame rate is 30 fps against 25 fps for the K-5 IIs, allowing slightly smoother motion in ordinary handheld clips. File handling also favours the K-30, which writes MPEG-4 clips rather than the K-5 IIs's Motion JPEG, so recordings take up less card space. Both cameras offer a built-in interval timer for timelapse sequences. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is shared: both bodies are sealed, so with a weather-sealed lens either can be taken out in wet or dusty conditions. Both also carry a built-in flash for quick fill light and a hot shoe for external flash units. The rear screens match in specification, a 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots and live view for waist-level framing. Neither camera offers WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS or touch control, so neither supports wireless transfer or geotagging. | ||
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 IIs is the clear choice for long shooting days, rated for 980 shots on a charge against 410 for the K-30 under their respective test conditions. For an all-day event or a multi-hour hike away from a charger, that rated advantage points to the K-5 IIs. Each body takes its own battery pack, the K-5 IIs using a D-LI90P and the K-30 a D-LI109, so spares are not interchangeable. Both record to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| 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 stills-first work, the Pentax K-5 IIs is the better buy. The 980-shot battery rating suits all-day events, the 7 fps burst and 1/8000-second shutter serve sports and wildlife, and its expanded ISO range gives extra headroom when light fades. Its KAF mount takes the same lenses as the K-30.
Choose the Pentax K-30 when video matters or when a lighter pack counts. Its higher 30 fps video frame-rate ceiling and MPEG-4 recording make it the more capable, more storage-friendly video tool, and at 650 g it carries 110 grams less on a long walk. Either way, weather sealing and in-body stabilisation are present on both.