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

Buy From

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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K2000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A850

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
  • $2084
  • 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
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A850 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compare Other Cameras?