Sony A58 vs Pentax KP

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A58 vs Pentax KP

Leave Feedback

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A58 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A58 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A58.
Compare Sony A58 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A58 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.

Succeeded by the Sony A68
Compare A58 vs A68
Compare Sony A68 vs Pentax KP

Buy From

Differences

Sony A58 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

700 vs 390 shots
Capture more photos
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Pentax KP advantages over Sony A58

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~1.40 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
8 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
307k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.57x
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
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
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
35 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.0 fps vs 4.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
10 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
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

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
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 A58 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A58

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All A58 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax KP

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

All KP Deals

Review Excerpt

Improved 20.1-megapixel resolution; Impressive image quality, especially for its price; Fast and decisive autofocus (in most conditions); Very good battery life; Good video quality (Full HD 1080p, though it doesn't support 60p frame rate).
Plastic lens mount; Slower burst mode speeds and shallower buffer than A57; LCD no longer fully articulating; Mediocre kit lens; Electronic instead of an optical viewfinder may be a turnoff for some.
Read our Sony A58 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-5 IIs

Sony A58

Pentax K-5 IIs

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A58 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax KP

Pentax K-5 IIs

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

$497
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A58

Nikon D5200

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Nikon D5200

Pentax KP

Nikon D5200

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Canon T5i

Sony A58

Canon T5i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 vs Canon T5i

Pentax KP

Canon T5i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T5i

Compared to Nikon D5600

Sony A58

Nikon D5600

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony A58 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 A58

Canon T7i

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A58 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

Compare Other Cameras?