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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9

Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-1
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Launched April 2017
  • Renewed by Sony A9 II
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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A9, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the K-1 II (36MP) and A9 (24MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The K-1 II was manufactured 11 months after the A9 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the K-1 II grades versus the A9 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Sony A9

 K-1 II A9 
LaunchedFebruary 2018April 2017Newer by 11 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Pentax K-1 II

 A9 K-1 II 
Screen resolution1440k1037kCrisper screen (+403k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A9

 K-1 II A9 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-1 II offers exterior dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") having a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A9 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the K-1 II against the A9.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-1 II and A9 is 55 and 65 respectively.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through technical specs. The picture below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-1 II and A9.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax K-1 II to render extra detail due to its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more recent K-1 II will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-1 II
Portrait photography with Sony A9
86
focusing manually
megapixel count amazing (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
84
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Street photography features
Sony A9 Street photography features
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
very good high ISO (819,200)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
79
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch focus
weather sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Sports photography advice
Sony A9 Sports photography advice
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count amazing (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
87
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
max fps high (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
better than average battery (650 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Travel photography info
Sony A9 Travel photography info
53
environment proofing
megapixel count amazing (36 megapixels)
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
74
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
comes with touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography details
Sony A9 Landscape photography details
82
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count amazing (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (819,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
86
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
32
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
37
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 II and Sony A9
 Pentax K-1 Mark IISony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-1 Mark II Sony Alpha A9
Category Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2018-02-22 2017-04-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME IV BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 7360 x 4912 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 819200 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 33 693
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF4 Sony E
Amount of lenses 151 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.4fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 gr (2.23 lbs) 673 gr (1.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 670 photographs 650 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Two Two
Launch price $1,737 $4,498