• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon XTi advantages over Pentax K-30

  • Less expensive
    $799 vs $1199 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.71 vs 4.81 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment

Pentax K-30 advantages over Canon XTi

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,129 vs 664 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.0 vs 10.9 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 88 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Newer
    12 years vs 18 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    45 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-30

Review Excerpt

  • Pentaprism viewfinder is bright and accurate; Weather-sealed body can handle direct rain; Twin control dials make exposure control a snap; Solid build; Great image quality.

  • Lower resolution than some rivals; Not as small as recent Pentax entry-level and mid-range models; A couple of ergonomic and UI quirks; Shutter isn't the quietest; 18-55 kit lens isn't weather-sealed.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon XTi
Nikon D7000
  • $522
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Pentax K-30
Nikon D7000
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Pentax K-5

Canon XTi
Pentax K-5
  • $522
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax K-30
Pentax K-5
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon T3i

Canon XTi
Canon T3i
  • $522
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Pentax K-30
Canon T3i
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon XTi
Canon T4i
  • $522
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Pentax K-30
Canon T4i
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Canon XTi
Pentax K-5 II
  • $522
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax K-30
Pentax K-5 II
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
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