Pentax K5 vs Sony Alpha 580 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K5
57
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 16.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony Alpha 580
52
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K5 and the Sony Alpha 580 are DSLRs released in 2010. The Sony is the lighter camera to carry, at 599 g against 740 g for the Pentax. The K5 answers with slightly smaller body dimensions, 131 x 97 x 73 mm versus 137 x 104 x 84 mm, so it takes up a little less room in a bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 20, 2010 | August 24, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 131 x 97 x 73 mm | 137 x 104 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 740 g | 599 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 58/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe K5 is the stronger pick for moving subjects, shooting at 7 fps against 5 fps on the Alpha 580, which improves your odds of catching a peak moment in sports or wildlife. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed also lets you use wide apertures in bright daylight, where the Sony tops out at 1/4000. The Pentax also reaches a higher expanded ISO ceiling, 51200 against 25600. The core sensor specifications match: both use APS-C CMOS sensors with in-body stabilisation and a standard ISO range of 100 to 12800. Resolution is nearly identical, 16.3 megapixels for the K5 against 16.2 for the 580. The viewfinders differ, a pentaprism in the Pentax against a pentamirror in the Sony, and the 580 offers 15 autofocus points to the K5's 11. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.3 MP050 | 16.2 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. |
7 fps045 | 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 KAF2 | 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 II | 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. |
8030200 | 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. |
512003003280000 | 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. |
800080032000 | 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) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor video motion, the Alpha 580 is the stronger choice: its maximum frame rate reaches 60 fps against 25 fps on the K5, giving smoother motion and room for halved-speed slow motion in editing. Both cameras record up to Full HD resolution. The Sony captures footage in AVCHD and MP4, while the Pentax uses Motion JPEG. The K5 keeps one advantage of its own, a built-in interval timelapse function that the 580 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. |
25 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. |
Motion JPEG | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 54/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesScreen flexibility favours the Sony: its 3-inch LCD flips out for waist-level macro shots or overhead crowds, while the K5's screen does not tilt. Protection favours the Pentax, which offers weather sealing that the 580 does not. Both provide live view, a built-in flash and external flash support, and neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi or a touchscreen. | ||
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 | TFT 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 | 9216001150001500000 |
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 | 43/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryYour SD, SDHC and SDXC cards work in either camera, since both use a single card slot. The 580 additionally accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media. Its battery is rated at 1050 shots per charge against 980 for the K5. Neither camera 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-LI90 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
980 shots1505000 | 1050 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the K5 if you photograph action or work outdoors. Its 7 fps burst, 1/8000 second shutter for wide-aperture daylight work, weather sealing and built-in timelapse suit sports, wildlife and changeable weather.
Choose the Alpha 580 if portability, framing flexibility and video matter more. It is the lighter body, flips its screen for awkward angles, offers the higher 60 fps video frame rate and holds a slightly longer battery rating. Because the Pentax KAF2 and Sony Alpha DT mounts are incompatible, the lens system you want is the deciding factor.