Pentax K20D vs Sony Alpha 380 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 14.6 MP · APS-C
Pentax K20D
47
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 380
41
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K20D and the Sony Alpha 380 are both APS-C DSLRs, but they suit different shooting styles. The K20D, released in 2008, is the larger and heavier body at 142 x 101 x 70 mm and 800 g, built around the Pentax KAF mount. The 2009 Alpha 380 is a smaller 128 x 97 x 71 mm and 519 g, which is 281 g lighter, using the Sony Alpha DT mount. Each mount matters because native lenses do not cross between them. If you already own Pentax K glass, the K20D keeps it usable; the Alpha 380 likewise serves existing Sony Alpha DT owners. The weight gap is worth measuring against your bag: a travel or walkabout kit adds up quickly with the K20D. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 23, 2008 | May 18, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 142 x 101 x 70 mm | 128 x 97 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 800 g | 519 g |
| Optics | 49/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe K20D is the stronger choice for action shooting. It shoots at 3 fps against 2.5 fps for the Alpha 380, and its 11 autofocus points give you more placement options than the Sony's 9. Its expanded ISO range also reaches 6400, against 3200 on the Alpha 380, leaving more room to raise sensitivity in dim conditions. Resolution is close: 14.6 MP against 14.2 MP, giving the Pentax marginally more pixels for cropping. Both use APS-C sensors and both offer in-body stabilisation, so any lens you mount gains shake reduction on either body. The viewfinder designs differ, with a pentaprism in the K20D and a pentamirror in the Alpha 380. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
14.6 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4672 x 3104 | 4592 x 3056 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
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. |
16 x 23 | 15.8 x 23.6 |
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. |
3 fps045 | 2.5 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 | 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. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
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. |
64003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
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. |
400080032000 | 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 | 90300 |
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 (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so if you need motion capture with sound, look elsewhere in this class. The difference is timelapse: the K20D offers built-in timelapse support for interval shooting, while the Alpha 380 does not. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
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. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 47/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 380's tilting LCD is its key handling advantage. You can angle the 2.7-inch screen for waist-level or overhead live-view framing, which the K20D's fixed screen cannot do. Both offer live view, a built-in flash and external flash support, so off-camera lighting setups work on either body. The K20D answers with weather sealing for shooting outdoors in dust or moisture, and the Alpha 380 has none. Neither camera has GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so image transfer and geotagging need external tools. | ||
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 | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2304001150001500000 |
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 | 27/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery ratings match: both are rated for 500 shots on their own test conditions, and neither charges over USB. Both carry a single card slot, so there is no second card for overflow or backup on either body. Card formats differ. The Alpha 380 takes SD and SDHC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, handy if you have Sony media already. The K20D takes SD, SDHC and MMC. Their batteries are different models, the D-LI50 and the NP-FH50, so spares are not interchangeable. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / MMC | SD / SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI50 | NP-FH50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Pentax K20D if you shoot outdoors in dust or drizzle, photograph moving subjects, or want the extra expanded ISO headroom for dim interiors. Weather sealing and the faster burst rate make it the stronger pick for landscape and travel-documentary work in changeable conditions.
Choose the Sony Alpha 380 if a lighter, smaller body matters for all-day carrying, or if you frame from high or low angles and want the tilting screen for live-view work. Either way, your lens collection should drive the decision as much as the bodies, because the Pentax KAF and Sony Alpha DT mounts do not share native lenses.