Pentax K-30 vs Sony SLT Alpha 35 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-30
56
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 35
50
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-30 (2012) and the Sony SLT Alpha 35 (2011) are both DSLR-type interchangeable-lens cameras built around APS-C sensors, so neither demands a whole new way of shooting if you are moving between the two. The Sony is the lighter carry at 415 g against 650 g for the Pentax, a 235 g saving. The K-30 measures 130 x 97 x 71 mm and the Alpha 35 measures 124 x 92 x 85 mm, so the Sony is a bit longer front to back while trimming height and width. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 22, 2012 | June 8, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 97 x 71 mm | 124 x 92 x 85 mm |
| Camera weight | 650 g | 415 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsBoth cameras give you around 16 megapixels for generous prints and roomy crops, at 16.3 MP on the K-30 and 16 MP on the Alpha 35, and both move the sensor to steady handheld frames. Each takes only its own lenses, Pentax KAF on one side and Sony Alpha DT on the other, so your existing glass decides part of this choice. The K-30 is the better pick for bright-light shooting with wide apertures, because its 1/6000 second top shutter speed is shorter than the Sony's 1/4000 second. It also shoots 6 fps against 5.5 fps for the Sony when action picks up. The Alpha 35 answers with 15 autofocus points against 11, useful for keeping off-centre subjects sharp, plus a 1150000-dot electronic viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.3 MP050 | 16 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 | 4912 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 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
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 | 5.5 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 | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime M | Bionz |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 400080032000 |
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 | 150300 |
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) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 115000009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Alpha 35 is the stronger choice for smooth slow motion, with a top video frame rate of 60 fps where the K-30 stops at 30 fps. The extra frames let you slow a child's sprint or a dog on the beach to half speed. Video resolution is a shared strength, with both cameras recording Full HD. The Sony records MP4 and AVCHD, while the Pentax writes MPEG-4, and the K-30 offers a built-in timelapse function the Sony lacks. | ||
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 | 60 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 | No |
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 | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 54/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing on the K-30 lets you keep shooting in drizzle and dusty trails, protection the Alpha 35 does not offer. The Sony counters with a flip screen, so you can frame a low flowerbed shot or hold the camera overhead at a parade. Both share a 3-inch 921000-dot LCD, live view, and a built-in flash with an external flash shoe. Neither camera has GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. | ||
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 | No |
| 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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 35's battery is rated for 440 shots against 410 for the K-30, a small edge for the Sony. Each camera takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and the Sony also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media. Neither has a second card slot or USB charging, so pack a spare D-LI109 or NP-FW50 battery and a charger for long days. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI109 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the K-30 if you shoot outdoors in unpredictable weather, value its 1/6000 second shutter for wide-aperture daylight portraits, or want built-in timelapse without extra gear. Choose the Alpha 35 if you prefer a lighter 415 g body, a tilting screen for overhead and ground-level framing, or 60 fps video you can slow down smoothly. Lens ownership matters too, since Pentax KAF and Sony Alpha DT glass do not interchange.