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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99

Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Released February 2018
  • Replaced the Pentax K-1
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Introduced December 2012
  • Old Model is Sony A900
  • Successor is Sony A99 II
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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the K-1 II (36MP) and A99 (24MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The K-1 II was announced 5 years after the A99 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick summation of how the K-1 II matches up against the A99 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Sony A99

 K-1 II A99 
IntroducedFebruary 2018December 2012More modern by 64 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Pentax K-1 II

 A99 K-1 II 
Screen resolution1229k1037kSharper screen (+192k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A99

 K-1 II A99 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-1 II enjoys outer measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Sony A99 has dimensions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-1 II and Sony A99 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the K-1 II compared to the A99.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 II and A99 is 55 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The image below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 II and A99.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Pentax K-1 II to offer you greater detail with its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The fresher K-1 II provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography info
Sony A99 Portrait photography info
86
you can focus manually
amazing sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW files
82
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Street photography advice
Sony A99 Street photography advice
70
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
above average ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than competition (1,010 grams)
75
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Sports photography information
Sony A99 Sports photography information
77
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames per second)
low battery pack (670 per charge)
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery life (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-1 II
Travel photography with Sony A99
53
weather sealing
amazing sensor resolution (36MP)
low battery pack (670 shots)
more heavy than competition (1,010 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
environment proof
good resolution (24MP)
display is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (500 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography highlights
Sony A99 Landscape photography highlights
82
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing sensor resolution (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (819,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
low battery pack (670 CIPA)
75
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
terrible battery life (500 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Vlogging details
Sony A99 Vlogging details
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
76
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic jack
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Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 II and Sony A99
 Pentax K-1 Mark IISony SLT-A99
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-1 Mark II Sony SLT-A99
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2018-02-22 2012-12-12
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME IV Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 819200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 33 19
Cross focus points 25 11
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF4 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.4fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 lb) 812 grams (1.79 lb)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 89
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1555
Other
Battery life 670 photographs 500 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Storage slots Dual Dual
Price at release $1,737 $1,998