Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9

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Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-30 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-30.

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-50
Compare K-30 vs K-50

Succeeded by the Sony A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II

Compare PENTAX K-50 vs SONY A9 II

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Differences

Pentax K-30 advantages over Sony A9

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Sony A9 advantages over Pentax K-30

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 4.81 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
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
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A9 test data on DxO Mark K-30 test data on DxO Mark

3,517 vs 1,129 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

650 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
8 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
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x 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
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 5.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
364 vs 45 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/6000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-30 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A9 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-30

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-30 Deals

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Buy the Sony A9

Body Only

All A9 Deals

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

New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.
Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.
Read our Sony A9 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 A9

Nikon D7000

$2995
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A9 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 A9

Canon T4i

$2995
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A9 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 A9

Pentax K-5 II

$2995
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A9 vs Pentax K-5 II

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Pentax K-30

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$599
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Sony A9 II

Pentax K-30

Sony A9 II

$599
APS-C

Lens selection
Internal flash

$4498
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Sony A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$2995
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

Compare Other Cameras?