Sony a55 vs Pentax k30

[leroyishere]

What do you guys think? This will be a first DSLR for me.

Sony a57:

12fps
Larger viewfinder
Flip out screen
External mic jack
In camera panorama
3D photos (not too sure what's this)
Better ISO
More focus points
Longer batt life
Lighter

Pentax k30:

Weather sealed
Optical viewfinder
More cross-type focus points
Smaller
Thinner
Faster shutter speed (1/6000 to 1/4000)

PS. got this info from snapsort.com

Prices of both are reasonable to me so that's not too much of a concern.

 

[rhino123]

What do you guys think? This will be a first DSLR for me.

Sony a57:

12fps
Larger viewfinder
Flip out screen
External mic jack
In camera panorama
3D photos (not too sure what's this)
Better ISO
More focus points
Longer batt life
Lighter

Pentax k30:

Weather sealed
Optical viewfinder
More cross-type focus points
Smaller
Thinner
Faster shutter speed (1/6000 to 1/4000)

PS. got this info from snapsort.com

Prices of both are reasonable to me so that's not too much of a concern.

Both a great cameras, the K-30 is a newer camera though... not that it mean much. Anyway, both uses Sony sensor and both function as they are designed to do.

So... the question is...

Which one feels better in your hand? Get the one that feel good in your hand, and also make the most sense to you.

 

[Rashkae]

What do you guys think? This will be a first DSLR for me.

Sony a57:

12fps
Larger viewfinder
Flip out screen
External mic jack
In camera panorama
3D photos (not too sure what's this)
Better ISO
More focus points
Longer batt life
Lighter

Pentax k30:

Weather sealed
Optical viewfinder
More cross-type focus points
Smaller
Thinner
Faster shutter speed (1/6000 to 1/4000)

PS. got this info from snapsort.com

Prices of both are reasonable to me so that's not too much of a concern.

Snapsort is a joke. The A57 uses an EVF, which means it's "what you see is what you get". So if you adjust exposure, or make is black and white, etc etc, you will see it in the viewfinder. Also, the A57 gives you full-speed PDAF in live view, you can record video using the viewfinder, and the EVF looks huge compared to the small OVF on the K30. You also get horizon indicator, etc etc etc. Also, autofocus Carl Zeiss lenses.

The K30 uses the same Sony sensor, is weather sealed (up to you if this matters) and also offers good price and good lenses.

If you're gonna do research, then please do NOT rely on snapsort.

 

[pinholecam]

For your reference :
Sample OOC JPEG images from imaging resource.

ISO100
K30 - Digital Cameras, Pentax K-30 Digital Camera Test Image
A57 - Digital Cameras, Sony Alpha SLT-A57 Digital Camera Test Image



ISO 3200
A57 - Digital Cameras, Sony Alpha SLT-A57 Digital Camera Test Image
K30 - Digital Cameras, Pentax K-30 Digital Camera Test Image



For more :
Imaging Resource "Comparometer" ™ Digital Camera Image Comparison Page

 

[milez]

I used to be a Minolta user. Had 2 Minolta film SLR. They made decent lens at decent price. Sony bought over Minolta for its camera & optics expertise. But they excel in electronics. So it should be a marriage made in heaven. However, it doesn't seem so.

Pentax relied on the electronics company (Panasonic, Sony & Canon) for sensors, processors. The excel in optics and camera making know how, just like Nikon and Olympus. Their medium format 645 and 67 was highly regarded. But they were poor in marketing.

If I were to choose, I'll take the K30. Simply because they have superior optics at more affordable price. so ultimately, you will buy their lens and get better photos.

If money is no object (since you can get into Carl Zeiss Eco system of Sony), or you will only be using the kit lens anyway, get the Sony.

 

[Rashkae]

For your reference :
Sample OOC JPEG images from imaging resource.

Yup, since the K30 does not use SLT and uses a weaker AA filter, it's a bit sharper.

However, there is more than just pure imaging quality to consider. There's ergonomics, ad the additional features such as full-speed autofocus in Live view, fast AF in video, no mirror slap, super fast shutter lag, etc.

 

[Shadowleong]

The technical mumbo jumbo aside,

I'll pick a Optical viewfinder over an electronic one anyday.

Head to a shop and look at both for your personal preference.

 

[leroyishere]

Okay sorry forgot to share my intended purpose for this camera. Basically gonna use the kit lens for general purpose shooting, then get a 50/1.8 for portraiture, and lastly something which stretches to 300mm for outdoor sports photography.

Looking at both of your points, it's really hard to make a decision. They both are very value for money cameras though, and it's such a close fight despite their different merits.

 

[Rashkae]

Okay sorry forgot to share my intended purpose for this camera. Basically gonna use the kit lens for general purpose shooting, then get a 50/1.8 for portraiture, and lastly something which stretches to 300mm for outdoor sports photography.

Looking at both of your points, it's really hard to make a decision. They both are very value for money cameras though, and it's such a close fight despite their different merits.

You really need to go down to the shops and feel them in your hands. Ergonomics is key.

 

[allenleonhart]

Okay sorry forgot to share my intended purpose for this camera. Basically gonna use the kit lens for general purpose shooting, then get a 50/1.8 for portraiture, and lastly something which stretches to 300mm for outdoor sports photography.

Looking at both of your points, it's really hard to make a decision. They both are very value for money cameras though, and it's such a close fight despite their different merits.

if its 300mm, outdoor sports (fast action), go for the optical viewfinder. your EVF with its lag time, means you will be missing a lot of shots along the way

 

[pinholecam]

K30, uses an optical viewfinder.
It has 100% coverage, and not 95%,97% or lesser compared to many other DSLRs at its price level.
Horizon indicator as well as all indicators relevant to taking a photo is also there on the viewfinder.

The main advantage of an OVF is '0' lag between actual scene and viewfinder; dynamic range (ie brightness levels) (since its your own eye);
Basically WYSIWYG through the viewfinder.


EVF's merits are that it can be boost its gain in darker places (though the noise will be apparent);
Superimpose more information on the screen (whether these info add to photo taking depends on user preference);
Peaking mode on EVF is nice. With the K30, you will have to use peaking mode via rear LCD, which works too.
Scenes with large dynamic ranges (ie. brightness levels) will either clip or blow out.
Whether this causes irritation to the user depends on the individual. (I'm pretty fine with it, but some folks can't stand it)


If I were to sum up the strength of Pentax system :
1. Very well featured, good handling, good performance camera body for the price.
2. Cheap weather sealed lenses for those on a budget (18-55; 50-200; 18-135) and also good/more costly ones for those who can afford them.
3. Lenses that are typically designed to be smaller (and many small prime lens offerings that no other DSLR make has)
4. Legacy support for its lenses. (even a cheap and good manual K-mount lens from 20-30yrs back will work on a Pentax DSLR).
5. Pentax FA and DA Limited series of lenses
6. Typically DSLR bodies that are designed smaller in size

As the sample images show, sensor can be the same, but the o/p is not necessarily the same.
How each company tweaks the sensor and supporting elements like AA filter; color response; noise via hardware/software will be different.
The SLT and SLR system affects the picture o/p quality too (as the samples show)


Whatever your choice.
Good luck camera hunting.

 

[Rashkae]

if its 300mm, outdoor sports (fast action), go for the optical viewfinder. your EVF with its lag time, means you will be missing a lot of shots along the way

Worked fine for F1...

 

[Rashkae]

Basically WYSIWYG through the viewfinder.

This I actually disagree on - With an OVF, you see what the lens sees, which is not necessarily what the sensor will see. With an EVF, you see what the sensor sees, so it's a lot more "WYSIWYG". Plus, it's nice being able to review pictures using the viewfinder. Very very handy when you don't want to move but still want to review photos (like when you're birding).

 

[kei1309]

i really have no idea what to say. the Pentax fanboys really nailed this one :bsmilie:

but:

It has 100% coverage, and not 95%,97% or lesser compared to many other DSLRs at its price level.
Horizon indicator as well as all indicators relevant to taking a photo is also there on the viewfinder.

So do the Sony Alpha Cameras

The main advantage of an OVF is '0' lag between actual scene and viewfinder; dynamic range (ie brightness levels) (since its your own eye);
Basically WYSIWYG through the viewfinder.

not true. you won't see exactly how the image will turn out unlike using an EVF.

Strength of Pentax system :
1. Very well featured, good handling, good performance camera body for the price. So is Sony Alpha

3. Lenses that are typically designed to be smaller (and many small prime lens offerings that no other DSLR make has) Then i might as well buy a 4/3 or Micro 4/3 camera because the lens are smaller. Pentax Q even

4. Legacy support for its lenses. (even a cheap and good manual K-mount lens from 20-30yrs back will work on a Pentax DSLR). you can also use Minolta lenses on the Sony Alpha. heck, with the Sony NEX system you can even use Pentax lenses on an NEX, just with an adaptor

5. Pentax FA and DA Limited series of lenses so other brands have no limited lenses that are splendid as well?

6. Typically DSLR bodies that are designed smaller in size So is Sony Alpha

*Sigh~~*

 

[milez]

Put simply. I am intellectually repulsive to Sony.

Pentax is a good brand but wrongly marketed.

Why not Canon or Nikon? Decision making process would have been easier.

 

[Reportage]

My suggestion is go to a shop that has both and try. Specs are specs and look nice on paper but nothing beats actually trying out the camera first.

For myself personally, i chose Pentax because they make such compact dslr with the iso performance being quite impressive.

i am taking stills of NDP 2012 with a much older model and with the weather sealing it means rain or shine no problem.

It all boils down to what you really use the camera for.

 

[Rashkae]

Why not Canon or Nikon? Decision making process would have been easier.

Because value for $$$/features for $$$, Pentax and Sony are better.

 

[rhino123]

Haiz... don't know why... every time someone asked about which camera should he/she get... the thread always ended in brand war... :dunno:

Well... TS... like I had mentioned before and I believe some had too... head down to the shop, take up the cameras and test, see which one you feels better, then get that one. Who knows, you might even go for Panasonic, Olympus or Samsung. And who knows you might want to get Nikon and Canon at the end of the days, and forget all the nonsense about most value for money for features and stuff like that. Photography is a very personal thing, it is not just what features a camera had... what is the use of getting a camera that is bursting with new features, when the user menu don't make any sense to you and that it can only do those features so-so? or had features that you will never use at all.

For me... I chose to stick with Canon because I like the feels of Canon... of course many had said that high ISO performance are not on par with offerings from Nikon, Pentax and Sony for the APS-C sensor sized camera, but I don't really care about it. For me, it is okay and so, yeah. I used m4/3 camera (EPL1 and OM-D) extensively nowadays, although many had warned me about getting into m4/3, but even with my EPL1, I managed to get excellent shots and was very very happy with them.

So get a camera you are comfortable with, and thats that. All the others are a matter of practice and read up. And the most important thing is... have fun

 

[milez]

Because value for $$$/features for $$$, Pentax and Sony are better.

Reselling Nikon or Canon would have been easier... and probably may fetch better price.
Nikon D3200 offers good value for $ too... and very good image quality.
Ditto Canon EOS 600D

 

[Rashkae]

Reselling Nikon or Canon would have been easier... and probably may fetch better price.
Nikon D3200 offers good value for $ too... and very good image quality.
Ditto Canon EOS 600D

If you are worried abut resale value, then your own photographic needs are clearly not your priority. I would rather get a camera that I enjoy shooting with, with the features that I want, than worry about "resale". Then you're not a photographer, you're just a guy with camera (GWC) who only wants the latest toy.

Nikon D3200: Sony 24mp sensor. But slow AF in video/live view, no built-in AF motor, no built-in IS.
Canon EOS 600D: the same 18mp sensor they've used in way too many cameras already, and slow AF in video/live view, no built-in IS.

Again, for the same money, Pentax and Sony offer more value.