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Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX30

The Pentax K-5 and the Samsung NX30 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2010 and January 2014. The K-5 is a DSLR, while the NX30 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Pentax has a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, whereas the Samsung provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Pentax K-5
versus
Samsung NX30
Pentax K-5   Samsung NX30
Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
Pentax K mount lenses Samsung NX mount lenses
16.1 MP – APS-C sensor 20 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/25p Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 100-12,800 (80 - 51,200) ISO 100-25,600
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 3.0" LCD – 1036k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel touchscreen
7 shutter flaps per second 9 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
740 shots per battery charge360 shots per battery charge
131 x 97 x 73 mm, 760 g 127 x 96 x 58 mm, 375 g
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Check K-5 offers at
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Check NX30 offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Pentax K-5 and the Samsung NX30? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Pentax K-5 and the Samsung NX30 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX30
Compare K-5 versus NX30 top
Comparison K-5 or NX30 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Samsung NX30 is somewhat smaller (4 percent) than the Pentax K-5. Moreover, the NX30 is substantially lighter (51 percent) than the K-5. It is worth mentioning in this context that the K-5 is splash and dust resistant, while the NX30 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The power pack in the NX30 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax K-5 131 mm 97 mm 73 mm 760 g 740 Y Sep 2010 1,099ebay.com
2.
 
Samsung NX30 127 mm 96 mm 58 mm 375 g 360 n Jan 2014 999ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D5500 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 470 g 820 n Jan 2015 899ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D3300 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 430 g 700 n Jan 2014 499ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax KP 132 mm 101 mm 76 mm 703 g 390 Y Jan 2017 1,099ebay.com
7.
 
Pentax K-70 126 mm 93 mm 74 mm 688 g 410 Y Jun 2016 649ebay.com
8.
 
Pentax K-3 II 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 720 Y Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
9.
 
Pentax K-50 130 mm 97 mm 71 mm 650 g 410 Y Jun 2013 599ebay.com
10.
 
Pentax K-500 130 mm 97 mm 71 mm 646 g 710 n Jun 2013 549ebay.com
11.
 
Pentax K-3 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 560 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
12.
 
Pentax K-30 130 mm 97 mm 71 mm 650 g 410 Y May 2012 849ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax K-5 II 131 mm 97 mm 73 mm 760 g 740 Y Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A6400 120 mm 67 mm 50 mm 403 g 410 Y Jan 2019 899 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 599ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A3000 128 mm 91 mm 85 mm 411 g 470 n Aug 2013 329ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A77 143 mm 104 mm 81 mm 732 g 470 Y Aug 2011 1,399ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The NX30 was somewhat cheaper (by 9 percent) than the K-5 at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the NX30 is 1 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Pentax K-5 and Samsung NX30 sensor measures

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the NX30 offers a higher resolution of 20 megapixels, compared with 16.1 MP of the K-5. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.30μm versus 4.81μm for the K-5). However, it should be noted that the NX30 is much more recent (by 3 years and 3 months) than the K-5, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the NX30 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Samsung NX30 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the NX30 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Pentax K-5 are 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.6 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.7 x 13.1 inches or 50.1 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.7 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The NX30 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Pentax K-5 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 80-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Samsung NX30 are ISO 100 to ISO 25600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

K-5 versus NX30 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under review, the K-5 has a notably higher overall DXO score than the NX30 (overall score 6 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.2 bits higher color depth, 1.7 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.2 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Pentax K-5 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.714.1116282
2.
 
Samsung NX30 APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/60p23.512.4101476
3.
 
Nikon D5500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0143884
4.
 
Nikon D3300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.8138582
5.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
6.
 
Pentax KP APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.913.2169981
7.
 
Pentax K-70 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i23.813.1163980
8.
 
Pentax K-3 II APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.613.6110680
9.
 
Pentax K-50 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.713.0112079
10.
 
Pentax K-500 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.713.1108779
11.
 
Pentax K-3 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.713.4121680
12.
 
Pentax K-30 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.713.0112979
13.
 
Pentax K-5 II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.814.1123582
14.
 
Sony A6400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.013.6143183
15.
 
Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782
16.
 
Sony A3000 APS-C 19.8 5456 36321080/60i23.712.8106878
17.
 
Sony A77 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.280178
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the NX30 provides a faster frame rate than the K-5. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Pentax is limited to 1080/25p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the NX30 has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), while the K-5 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the NX30 has a higher magnification than the one of the K-5 (0.64x vs 0.61x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Pentax K-5, the Samsung NX30, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Pentax K-5optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Samsung NX302359 n3.0 / 1036 swivel Y 1/8000s 9.0/s Y n
3.
 
Nikon D5500optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D3300optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Pentax KPoptical n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/6000s 7.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Pentax K-70optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Pentax K-3 IIoptical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s n Y
9.
 
Pentax K-50optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Pentax K-500optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Pentax K-3optical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s Y Y
12.
 
Pentax K-30optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Pentax K-5 IIoptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y Y
14.
 
Sony A64002359 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
15.
 
Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
16.
 
Sony A3000202 n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
17.
 
Sony A772359 Y3.0 / 921 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One feature that is present on the K-5, but is missing on the NX30 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The NX30 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the K-5 does not have a selfie-screen.

The Pentax K-5 and the Samsung NX30 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the K-5 and the NX30 write their files to SDXC cards. The NX30 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the K-5 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Pentax K-5 and Samsung NX30 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Pentax K-5Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
2.
 
Samsung NX30Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
3.
 
Nikon D5500Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
4.
 
Nikon D3300Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
6.
 
Pentax KPYstereo / monoY--2.0Y--
7.
 
Pentax K-70Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
8.
 
Pentax K-3 IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
9.
 
Pentax K-50Ymono / mono--micro2.0---
10.
 
Pentax K-500Ymono / mono---2.0---
11.
 
Pentax K-3Ymono / monoYYmini3.0---
12.
 
Pentax K-30Ymono / mono---2.0---
13.
 
Pentax K-5 IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
14.
 
Sony A6400Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YYY
15.
 
Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony A3000Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
17.
 
Sony A77Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
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It is notable that the K-5 has a microphone port, which is missing on the NX30. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Pentax K-5 (unlike the NX30) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the K-5 and the NX30 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The K-5 was replaced by the Pentax K-5 II, while the NX30 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the K-5 and NX30 can be found, respectively, in the Pentax K-5 Manual (free pdf) or the online Samsung NX30 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Pentax K-5 or the Samsung NX30 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Reasons to prefer the Pentax K-5:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (6 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (1.7 EV of extra DR).
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (740 versus 360) on a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2010).

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Arguments in favor of the Samsung NX30:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 16.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 11%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/25p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.64x vs 0.61x).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1036k vs 921k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (9 vs 7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 385g or 51 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 3 years and 3 months of technical progress since the K-5 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the NX30 is the clear winner of the contest (18 : 11 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

K-5 11:18 NX30

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Pentax K-5 and the Samsung NX30 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the K-5 or the NX30. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax K-54/5....83/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,099ebay.com
2.
 
Samsung NX303/5....77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2014 999ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D55005/5+..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 899ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D33003/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2014 499ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,499ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax KP4/5..3/582/1005/54.5/5 Jan 2017 1,099ebay.com
7.
 
Pentax K-704.5/5..4/579/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2016 649ebay.com
8.
 
Pentax K-3 II4.5/5......5/55/5 Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
9.
 
Pentax K-505/5......5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 599ebay.com
10.
 
Pentax K-500........4.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 549ebay.com
11.
 
Pentax K-34/5....83/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
12.
 
Pentax K-304/5....78/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 849ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax K-5 II5/5....80/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A64004/5+4/585/1004.5/54/5 Jan 2019 899 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 599ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A30003/5+....4/54/5 Aug 2013 329ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A775/591/100..81/100..5/5 Aug 2011 1,399ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX30

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Pentax K-5 Samsung NX30
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Pentax K mount lenses Samsung NX mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2010 January 2014
    Launch Price USD 1,099 USD 999
    Sensor Specs Pentax K-5 Samsung NX30
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.7 x 15.7 mm 23.5 x 15.7 mm
    Sensor Area 372.09 mm2 368.95 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm 28.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 16.1 Megapixels 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4928 x 3264 pixels 5472 x 3648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.81 μm 4.30 μm
    Pixel Density 4.32 MP/cm2 5.41 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/25p Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 80 - 51,200 ISO no Enhancement
    Image Processor PRIME II DRIMe IV
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 82 76
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.7 23.5
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 14.1 12.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1162 1014
    Screen Specs Pentax K-5 Samsung NX30
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.61x 0.64x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2359k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 1036k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Pentax K-5 Samsung NX30
    Focus System Phase-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s 9 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Pentax K-5 Samsung NX30
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Body Specs Pentax K-5 Samsung NX30
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Pentax D-LI90 Samsung BP1410
    Battery Life (CIPA)740 shots per charge360 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73 mm
    (5.2 x 3.8 x 2.9 in)
    127 x 96 x 58 mm
    (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.3 in)
    Camera Weight 760 g (26.8 oz) 375 g (13.2 oz)
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    Check K-5 offers at
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    Check NX30 offers at
    ebay.com

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