Sony Alpha 6300 vs Pentax K-7

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha 6300 and the Pentax K-7, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Sony Alpha 6300 was introduced in February 2016 and Pentax K-7 was introduced in October 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Sony Alpha 6300 Highlights

      • 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 25,600 Native ISO
      • 425 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 922k dot Tilting Screen
      • 2,359k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 11.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 3840 x 2160 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      • Built-In Wi-Fi
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Pentax K-7 Highlights

      • 15 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 2,000 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 5.2 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • 25 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Sony Alpha 6300 and Pentax K-7.

      PROS

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      •   Cheap
      •   Video Capture
      •   425 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Video Resolution - 3840 x 2160
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 404 g (0.89 lb / 14.25 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
      •   2,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 85
      •   Sensor Resolution - 15 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.2 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 61
      •   Weight - 750 g (1.65 lb / 26.46 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 980 shots

      Advantage of Sony Alpha 6300

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha 6300 over Pentax K-7.

      Sony Alpha 6300 vs Pentax K-7
      Higher Sensor Resolution 24.2 Megapixel vs 15 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 25,600 vs 2,000
      Higher Boosted ISO 51,200 vs 6,400
      Max Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 vs 4672 x 3104
      Higher Bit Depth 14-Bit vs 12-Bit
      More Focus Points 425 vs 11
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Screen Type Tilting vs Fixed
      Higher Resolution Screen 922k dot vs 921k dot
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.71x vs 0.61x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 11.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
      Average Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1437 vs 536
      Higher DxO Color Depth 24.4 vs 22.6
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 13.7 vs 10.6
      Higher DxO Overall Score 85 vs 61
      Higher Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 vs 1280 x 720
      Higher Video Recording Limit 30 min vs 25 min
      Built-In Wi-Fi vs
      Lighter 404 g (0.89 lb / 14.25 oz) vs 750 g (1.65 lb / 26.46 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha 6300.

      Advantage of Pentax K-7

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K-7 over Sony Alpha 6300.

      Sony Alpha 6300 vs Pentax K-7
      Image Stabilization vs Sensor Shift
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/8000 sec
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/180 sec
      Longer Battery Life 400 shots vs 980 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax K-7.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Sony Alpha 6300 Pentax K-7
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Micro
        Environmental Sealing
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Sony Alpha 6300 Pentax K-7
        Low Video Recording Limit30 min25 min
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Sony Alpha 6300 and Pentax K-7 have 3.0" screens with 922k dot and 921k dot resolutions respectively. Sony Alpha 6300 has a Tilting screen which makes it very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Pentax K-7 has a Fixed screen

      Image cannot be displayed

      Sony Alpha 6300 with Tilting screen


      Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha 6300 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,359k dot resolution and Pentax K-7 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. They both have 100% coverage.

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha 6300 features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 366.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600 and expands to 100 - 51,200 in boosted mode. Pentax K-7 features a 15 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.4 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 2,000 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Sony Alpha 6300 is equipped with BIONZ X processor and can take pictures up to 6000 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3:2 (4240 x 2832, 3008 x 2000), 16:9 (6000 x 3376, 4240 x 2400, 3008 x 1688) with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Pentax K-7 is equipped with PRIME II processor and can take pictures up to 4672 x 3104 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3936 x 2592, 3072 x 2048, 1728 x 1152 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Sony Alpha 6300 has Sony E lens mount and Pentax K-7 has Pentax KAF2 lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Pentax K-7

      Pentax K-7 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      Built-in Wi-Fi on Sony Alpha 6300

      Sony Alpha 6300 has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.


      NFC on Sony Alpha 6300

      Sony Alpha 6300 has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony Alpha 6300 has a Micro HDMI and Pentax K-7 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Sony Alpha 6300 comes with NP-FW50 battery pack with battery life of 400 shots and Pentax K-7 comes with D-LI90 battery pack with battery life of 980 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Sony Alpha 6300 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Pentax K-7 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha 6300, and up to 1/8000 sec on Pentax K-7. Sony Alpha 6300 can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps. Pentax K-7 can shoot continuously up to 5.2 fps.


      Focusing

      Sony Alpha 6300 has Fast Hybrid AF (Phase-detection / Contrast-detection) system with 425 focusing points and Pentax K-7 has 11 focusing points. Sony Alpha 6300 has detection range from -1 to +20 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Sony Alpha 6300 ranges from -2 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sony Alpha 6300 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Pentax K-7.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m at ISO 100 on Sony Alpha 6300 and 13.00 m on Pentax K-7. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or Wireless connection to Sony Alpha 6300 and via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Pentax K-7. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha 6300 and 1/180 sec on Pentax K-7.

      Physical Parameters

      Sony Alpha 6300 body has dimensions of 120 x 67 x 49 mm (4.72 x 2.64 x 1.93") and Pentax K-7 body has dimensions of 131 x 97 x 73 mm (5.16 x 3.82 x 2.87"). Sony Alpha 6300 weighs 404 g (0.89 lb / 14.25 oz) and Pentax K-7 weighs 750 g (1.65 lb / 26.46 oz).

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      120 mm

      67 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      131 mm

      97 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      67 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      97 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      49 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      73 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Sony Alpha 6300 and Pentax K-7

      Sony Alpha 6300 and Pentax K-7 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      GOOD
      82
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      80
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      GOOD
      71
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   425 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      71
      •   2,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.2 fps
      •   Battery Life - 980 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   425 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   2,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.2 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 980 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      GOOD
      81
      •   425 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      83
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   425 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 404 g (0.89 lb / 14.25 oz)
      GOOD
      82
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 750 g (1.65 lb / 26.46 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   High Video Resolution - 3840 x 2160
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 404 g (0.89 lb / 14.25 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 750 g (1.65 lb / 26.46 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 980 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Sony Alpha 6300 and Pentax K-7 and give them scores of 74 and 72 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      OVERALL
      74
      OVERALL
      72

      Sensor

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      GOOD
      70
      •   Sensor Resolution - 24.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   25,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 85
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Sensor Resolution - 15 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   2,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 61

      Photo

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      GOOD
      70
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 11.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      GOOD
      77
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.2 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      POOR
      48
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Video Resolution - 3840 x 2160
      •   Webcam Functionality
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      POOR
      42
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      EXCELLENT
      86
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   425 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      81
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      GOOD
      73
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
      •   Viewfinder Resolution - 2,359k dot
      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot

      Connectivity

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      EXCELLENT
      88
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Sony Alpha 6300

      Pentax K-7

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 404 g (0.89 lb / 14.25 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
      GOOD
      70
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 750 g (1.65 lb / 26.46 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 980 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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