• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Pentax K-30

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1199 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    465g vs 1088g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-30 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    45 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Sony NEX-5N

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Buy the Pentax K-30
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All K-30 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Fast autofocus and prefocused shutter lag; Quieter shutter sound; Captures 10 frames per second; Supports AVCHD 2.0.

  • Limited first-party lens selection; Slow and confusing on-screen user interface; top-mounted, proprietary accessories are quite pricey.

  • Read our Sony NEX-5N Review

  • 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.

  • Read our Pentax K-30 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-3

Pentax K-30
Sony NEX-3
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-C3

Pentax K-30
Sony NEX-C3
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Canon T4i

Sony NEX-5N
Canon T4i
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Canon T4i

Pentax K-30
Canon T4i
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Canon T4i

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-5R

Pentax K-30
Sony NEX-5R
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Sony NEX-5N
Pentax K-5 II
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-30
Pentax K-5 II
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 II

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