Pentax K-30 vs Sony SLT Alpha 77 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-30
56
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 77
62
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-30 and the Sony SLT Alpha 77 are both DSLRs from 2012 and 2011, and the K-30 is the smaller and lighter carry. It measures 130 x 97 x 71 mm at 650 g, against 143 x 104 x 81 mm and 732 g for the Alpha 77, saving 82 g for travel and long handheld days. | ||
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 | August 24, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 97 x 71 mm | 143 x 104 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 650 g | 732 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony SLT Alpha 77 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and fast action. Its 24.3 megapixel sensor gives 8 million more pixels than the K-30's 16.3, so distant subjects can be cropped harder and still print large. Its 12 fps burst doubles the K-30's 6 fps for action sequences. Its 19 autofocus points and 1/8000 s top shutter, against 11 and 1/6000 s, strengthen action shooting further. A useful similarity is in-body stabilisation on both cameras, steadying any mounted lens for handheld shooting. The viewfinders differ, a direct optical pentaprism on the K-30 against a 2359k-dot electronic finder on the Alpha 77. So do the lens mounts, Pentax KAF against Sony Alpha DT, which set each camera's native lens range. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.3 MP050 | 24.3 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 | 6000 x 4000 |
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 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 | 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 | 5030200 |
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 | 160003003280000 |
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 | 190300 |
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 | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor slow motion, the Alpha 77 offers more room: its maximum video frame rate of 60 fps doubles the K-30's 30 fps, so fast action can be slowed further in editing. A shared limit is the Full HD maximum recording resolution, so neither provides 4K. The K-30 counters with built-in timelapse, and it records MPEG-4 against AVCHD and MP4 on the Alpha 77. | ||
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 |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 77 offers the more versatile setup for awkward angles and connected shooting. Its screen flips out for waist-level or overhead framing, its GPS tags every landscape or travel shot with a location, and its Wi-Fi moves images to a phone. The K-30 has none of these. Both bodies are weather sealed and share a 3 inch 921,000-dot LCD with live view, a built-in flash and external flash support. Neither has a touch screen 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. |
No |  Yes |
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. |
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. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery ratings favour the Alpha 77 at 470 shots against 410 for the K-30, a gap of 60 shots. Each uses its own battery, the NP-FM500H and the D-LI109, so spares do not cross between them. The K-30 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, while the Alpha 77 accepts those plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo. Both have a single card slot and neither charges over USB. | ||
| 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 | 470 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 77 where resolution and speed pay off. Landscape or wildlife frames you crop hard, sports at 12 fps, and 60 fps slow motion all favour it, along with GPS, Wi-Fi and the flip-out screen for travel and video.
The Pentax K-30 suits anyone wanting a smaller, lighter weather-sealed body with a direct optical view. It offers an expanded ISO setting up to 25600, beyond the Alpha 77's 16000, plus built-in timelapse.