Pentax K-30 vs Sony RX100 II

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Pentax K-30 vs Sony RX100 II

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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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 II.
Compare Sony RX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 II conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Sony RX100 III
Compare RX100 II vs RX100 III

Compare PENTAX K-50 vs SONY RX100 III

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Differences

Pentax K-30 advantages over Sony RX100 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.10 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
K-30 test data on DxO Mark RX100 II test data on DxO Mark

1,129 vs 483 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Bigger JPEG buffer
45 vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX100 II advantages over Pentax K-30

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
Thinner
38 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
9.6 fps vs 5.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read K-30 User Reviews

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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

New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.
Read our Sony RX100 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Pentax K-30

Sony RX100

$599
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$1095
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1095
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Pentax K-30

Sony RX100 III

$599
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

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 RX100 II

Nikon D7000

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 II 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 RX100 II

Canon T4i

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$579
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 II 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 RX100 II

Pentax K-5 II

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Pentax K-5 II

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