Pentax K-30 vs Sony SLT Alpha 57 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-30
56
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 57
52
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-30 and the Sony SLT Alpha 57 are both APS-C DSLRs released in 2012, so the choice comes down to shooting style rather than generation. Both pair a CMOS sensor with in-body stabilisation, steadying any lens you mount. The Sony is the lighter body at 618 g against 650 g for the Pentax. The Pentax is the more compact camera at 130 x 97 x 71 mm against the Sony's 132 x 98 x 81 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 | March 12, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 97 x 71 mm | 132 x 98 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 650 g | 618 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 59/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony SLT Alpha 57 is the stronger choice for fast action, doubling the K-30's shooting speed at 12 fps against 6 fps. Its 15 autofocus points, against 11 in the Pentax, aid subject tracking. The lens mounts also differ: Pentax KAF on the K-30, Sony Alpha on the Alpha 57. The K-30 answers with a shorter maximum shutter speed of 1/6000 second versus the Sony's 1/4000, useful for wider apertures in bright light. Resolution is a near tie at 16.3 versus 16.1 megapixels. Both expand to 25600 ISO, and the Sony's standard ceiling is higher at 16000 against 12800. The viewfinders differ in kind: an optical pentaprism in the Pentax, a 1440000-dot electronic finder in the Sony. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.3 MP050 | 16.1 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 | 12 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 |
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 | 160003003280000 |
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 | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony is the better pick for video movement, with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps against the K-30's 30 fps. Both cap resolution at Full HD. That doubled frame rate lets you slow fast action to half speed with smooth motion. The Pentax adds a built-in timelapse function the Sony lacks. The Sony records in AVCHD, MP4 and MPEG-4 AVC, against MPEG-4 on the Pentax. | ||
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 | AVCHD, MP4, MPEG-4 AVC |
| Features | 54/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is the K-30's standout feature, letting you keep shooting in rain or dust where the Sony offers no protection. If you shoot landscapes, hiking trails or wildlife in changeable conditions, that sealing is a practical reason to choose the Pentax. The Sony's flip screen gives the opposite advantage, tilting for waist-level and overhead framing that the K-30's fixed screen cannot match. Both share a 3-inch screen with 921000 dots, live view and built-in and external flash. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so wireless transfer needs add-ons. | ||
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 | TFT 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 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Sony holds the battery advantage, rated for 550 shots against 410 for the K-30, a 140-shot gap. Both cameras use a single card slot and neither charges over USB. The Sony accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media alongside SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, while the Pentax takes SD-family cards only. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI109 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 550 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the K-30 for outdoor and travel photography: its weather sealing, 1/6000 second shutter and built-in timelapse suit landscape work in unpredictable weather. Its optical pentaprism viewfinder will appeal if you prefer a natural, lag-free view of the scene.
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 57 for action and video: 12 fps with 15 autofocus points suits sports and running children, and its doubled 60 fps frame rate gives slow-motion options in editing. The tilting screen adds flexible framing for handheld video.