• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A380 advantages over Pentax K-x

  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-x advantages over Sony DSLR-A380

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $650 vs $849 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Higher effective ISO
    811 vs 614 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.57x vs 0.49x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.3 fps vs 1.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • 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 Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A380
Pentax K20D
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • HDMI out
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Pentax K20D

Pentax K-x
Pentax K20D
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K20D

Compared to Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380
Pentax K-7
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x
Pentax K-7
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A380
Nikon D3100
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Nikon D3100

Pentax K-x
Nikon D3100
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More dynamic range
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-x vs Nikon D3100

Compared to Sony A33

Sony DSLR-A380
Sony A33
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Sony A33

Pentax K-x
Sony A33
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony A33

Compared to Pentax K-r

Sony DSLR-A380
Pentax K-r
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • HDMI out
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A380 vs Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x
Pentax K-r
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

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