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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A900

Portability
55
Imaging
77
Features
82
Overall
79
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A900 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Superseded the Pentax K-1
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Successor is Sony A99
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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A900 Overview

Following is a comprehensive review of the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the K-1 II (36MP) and A900 (25MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

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The K-1 II was announced 9 years after the A900 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the K-1 II grades against the A900 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Sony A900

 K-1 II A900 
ReleasedFebruary 2018October 2008More modern by 114 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k922kCrisper display (+115k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Pentax K-1 II

 A900 K-1 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A900

 K-1 II A900 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-1 II features external dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Sony A900 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A900 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the K-1 II compared to the A900.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A900 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-1 II and A900 is 55 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizes purely by viewing a spec sheet. The image below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-1 II and A900.

Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax K-1 II to result in extra detail with its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The younger K-1 II provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography details
Sony A900 Portrait photography details
86
focusing manually
excellent sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
71
manual focus
MP count high (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-1 II
Street photography with Sony A900
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
very good ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Sports photography highlights
Sony A900 Sports photography highlights
77
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery (670 per charge)
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count high (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Travel photography information
Sony A900 Travel photography information
53
environment sealing
excellent sensor resolution (36MP)
terrible battery (670 shots)
more heavy than average (1,010g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
54
environment sealing
MP count high (25MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography details
Sony A900 Landscape photography details
82
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent sensor resolution (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no low pass filter
very good ISO range (819,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
terrible battery (670 shots)
72
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count high (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
no liveview feature
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Vlogging information
Sony A900 Vlogging information
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 II and Sony A900
 Pentax K-1 Mark IISony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-1 Mark II Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2018-02-22 2008-10-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME IV Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 7360 x 4912 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 819200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 33 9
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF4 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.4 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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 Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, 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 None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 pounds) 895 grams (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1431
Other
Battery life 670 images 880 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots Dual Dual
Launch pricing $1,737 $2,736