• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200

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Differences

Pentax K2000 advantages over Sony A850

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • More cross-type AF points
    5 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Lighter weight
    524g vs 850g
    Lighter weight

Sony A850 advantages over Pentax K2000

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    9 vs 5
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    23 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon XSi

Pentax K2000
Canon XSi
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • More AF points

Compare Pentax K2000 vs Canon XSi

Sony A850
Canon XSi
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A850 vs Canon XSi

Compared to Nikon D60

Pentax K2000
Nikon D60
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Pentax K2000 vs Nikon D60

Sony A850
Nikon D60
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A850 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Pentax K2000
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K2000 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Sony A850
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A850 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Sony A900

Pentax K2000
Sony A900
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display

Compare Pentax K2000 vs Sony A900

Sony A850
Sony A900
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony A850 vs Sony A900

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Pentax K2000
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display

Compare Pentax K2000 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A850
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A850 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compare Other Cameras?