Sony A33 vs Pentax KP

Cameras
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Sony A33 vs Pentax KP

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony A33 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A33.

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 A33 advantages over Pentax KP

Bigger pixels
~ 5.16 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More viewfinder magnification
0.73x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder

Pentax KP advantages over Sony A33

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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

390 vs 270 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
8 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
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
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.3 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
27 vs 15
More AF points improve autofocus
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bigger JPEG buffer
35 vs 13 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 25600 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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting 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

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
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 A33 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Sony A33 Full 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 Nikon D3100

Sony A33

Nikon D3100

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A33 vs Nikon D3100

Pentax KP

Nikon D3100

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D3100

Compared to Sony A55

Sony A33

Sony A55

$540
APS-C

$734
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Sony A33 vs Sony A55

Pentax KP

Sony A55

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$734
APS-C

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax KP vs Sony A55

Compared to Sony A35

Sony A33

Sony A35

$540
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Faster JPEG shooting

$567
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony A33 vs Sony A35

Pentax KP

Sony A35

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$567
APS-C

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax KP vs Sony A35

Compared to Nikon D5600

Sony A33

Nikon D5600

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony A33 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 A33

Canon T7i

$540
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A33 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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