Pentax KM vs Sony Alpha 700 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Pentax KM
41
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C
Sony Alpha 700
46
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax KM and the Sony Alpha 700 are both DSLRs of the late 2000s with clearly different bodies. The KM arrived in September 2008 as the smaller, lighter option at 590 g and 123 x 92 x 68 mm. The Alpha 700, announced in 2007, is the larger body at 768 g and 142 x 105 x 80 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 22, 2008 | September 6, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 123 x 92 x 68 mm | 142 x 105 x 80 mm |
| Camera weight | 590 g | 768 g |
| Optics | 48/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 700 is the stronger choice for moving subjects, shooting at 5 fps against the KM's 3.5 fps. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed is twice the KM's 1/4000, allowing wider apertures in bright light. The KM answers with 11 autofocus points against 9, useful for off-centre compositions. The Sony's viewfinder uses a pentaprism, the KM's a pentamirror. Both cameras stabilise the sensor in-body, so any mounted lens gains shake reduction on either body. Both use the APS-C sensor format, giving the same framing crop on either camera. Native sensitivity tops out at 3200 ISO on both, while the Sony reaches 6400 ISO in expanded mode against the KM's 3200. The Sony's 12.2 MP sensor also gives more cropping room than the KM's 10.2 MP. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.2 MP050 | 12.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3872 x 2592 | 4272 x 2848 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | 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. |
16 x 24 | 16 x 24 |
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. |
3.5 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 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. |
12530200 | 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. |
32003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
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 | 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 | 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 (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, and neither includes a built-in timelapse mode, so any comparison here comes down to stills features alone. Shooters who want occasional clips alongside photographs will need a different camera entirely. For purely stills workflows, this shared omission costs nothing on either body. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 21/100 | 28/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 700 wins clearly for reviewing and framing from awkward angles, because its 3-inch LCD tilts and carries 920,000 dots, four times the 230,000 dots of the KM's fixed 2.7-inch screen. That makes the Sony much better for checking fine focus and detail on the back of the camera. The two agree on flash capability: each has a built-in flash and supports external flash units for quick snapshots and controlled lighting setups. Neither offers live view, touch control, GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so transferring images means a card reader. Neither body has weather sealing, so both deserve care in rain and dust. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 51/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe KM is rated for 1800 shots from four AA batteries, against 650 shots from the Alpha 700's NP-FM500H pack. Because it runs on ordinary AA cells, spare power is simple to carry. Storage formats differ and matter for card shopping. The KM takes SD and SDHC cards. The Alpha 700 has dual slots for CompactFlash Type I or II and Memory Stick Duo or Pro Duo, letting you carry two cards at once or separate file types between them. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | 4 x AA batteries | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1800 shots1505000 | 650 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony Alpha 700 for action and sport: its 5 fps burst and 1/8000 second shutter suit tracking fast subjects. Its tilting, high-resolution screen also makes it the better camera for critical focus checks and waist-level framing.
Choose the Pentax KM for travel and everyday walking photography. It is the smaller, lighter body, its 11 autofocus points outnumber the Sony's 9, and its four AA batteries rate 1800 shots. Both cameras stabilise the sensor in-body, so neither gives up shake reduction.