Sony A3000 vs Pentax KP

Cameras
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Sony A3000 vs Pentax KP

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APS-C 357.3mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A3000.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A3000 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

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Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Pentax KP

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

470 vs 390 shots
Capture more photos

Pentax KP advantages over Sony A3000

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~1.40 vs 2.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
8 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
307k vs 77k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.47x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
35 vs 11 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/24000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 16000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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

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
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
HDMI out
Neither provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A3000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A3000

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Pentax KP

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

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Review Excerpt

Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.
Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.
Read our Sony A3000 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax KP, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Pentax KP Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony A3000

Pentax K-01

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs Pentax K-01

Pentax KP

Pentax K-01

$999
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

$359
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-01

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000

Sigma sd Quattro

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

$699
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
HDMI out

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Pentax KP

Sigma sd Quattro

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
HDMI out

Compare Pentax KP vs Sigma sd Quattro

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A3000

Canon EOS M5

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

$787
APS-C

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Canon EOS M5

Pentax KP

Canon EOS M5

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$787
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon EOS M5

Compared to Nikon D5600

Sony A3000

Nikon D5600

$500
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$898
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Sony A3000

Canon T7i

$500
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony A3000 vs Canon T7i

Pentax KP

Canon T7i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

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