Pentax K-7 vs Sony A58

Cameras
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Pentax K-7 vs Sony A58

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-7.

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5
Compare K-7 vs K-5

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68

Compare PENTAX K-5 vs SONY A68

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Differences

Pentax K-7 advantages over Sony A58

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Bigger pixels
~ 5.07 vs 4.31 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More dots on screen
921k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Bigger JPEG buffer
20 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A58 advantages over Pentax K-7

Less expensive
$600 vs $1300 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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.
A58 test data on DxO Mark K-7 test data on DxO Mark

753 vs 536 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A58 test data on DxO Mark K-7 test data on DxO Mark

12.5 vs 10.6 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
20.1 vs 14.6 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
15 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Higher extended ISO
16000 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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 Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
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

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Buy the Pentax K-7

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Buy the Sony A58

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-7 Full Review

Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).
Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.
Read our Sony A58 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Sony A58

Sony DSLR-A380

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$849
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Canon T2i

Pentax K-7

Canon T2i

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon T2i

Sony A58

Canon T2i

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$692
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T2i

Compared to Sony A55

Pentax K-7

Sony A55

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A55

Sony A58

Sony A55

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$734
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

Compare Sony A58 vs Sony A55

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-7

Pentax K-5 IIs

$1300
APS-C

Less shutter lag
Has anti-aliasing filter

$497
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A58

Pentax K-5 IIs

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-7

Canon T5i

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon T5i

Sony A58

Canon T5i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

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