• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Pentax K2000 advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1050 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.12 vs 5.16 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More cross-type AF points
    5 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance

Sony DSLR-A550 advantages over Pentax K2000

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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 pixels
    14.2 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    9 vs 5
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 3.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • 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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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 DSLR-A550
Canon XSi
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $649
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 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 DSLR-A550
Nikon D60
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 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 DSLR-A550
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Canon 50D

Pentax K2000
Canon 50D
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Top deck display

Compare Pentax K2000 vs Canon 50D

Sony DSLR-A550
Canon 50D
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Canon 50D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Pentax K2000
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax K2000 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A500

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