• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Pentax K-30 advantages over Sony A6400

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A6400 advantages over Pentax K-30

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    519g vs 1088g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.61x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    87 vs 45 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-30
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All K-30 Deals

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Buy the Sony A6400
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 16-50mm OSS lens
  • Kit with 18-135mm OSS lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Pentaprism viewfinder is bright and accurate; Weather-sealed body can handle direct rain; Twin control dials make exposure control a snap; Solid build; Great image quality.

  • Lower resolution than some rivals; Not as small as recent Pentax entry-level and mid-range models; A couple of ergonomic and UI quirks; Shutter isn't the quietest; 18-55 kit lens isn't weather-sealed.

  • Read our Pentax K-30 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Pentax K-30
Nikon D7000
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Nikon D7000

Sony A6400
Nikon D7000
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A6400 vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-30
Canon T4i
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Canon T4i

Sony A6400
Canon T4i
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A6400 vs Canon T4i

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-30
Pentax K-5 II
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 II

Sony A6400
Pentax K-5 II
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A6400 vs Pentax K-5 II

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Pentax K-30
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Fujifilm X-T100

Sony A6400
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Fast startup
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A6400 vs Fujifilm X-T100

Compared to Sony A6100

Pentax K-30
Sony A6100
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Sony A6100

Sony A6400
Sony A6100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A6400 vs Sony A6100

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