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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R III front
Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Later Model is Pentax K-1 II
Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Launched October 2017
  • Superseded the Sony A7R II
  • Later Model is Sony A7R IV
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-1 (36MP) and the A7R III (42MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The K-1 was introduced 20 months earlier than the A7R III making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the K-1 grades versus the A7R III in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony A7R III

 K-1 A7R III 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Pentax K-1

 A7R III K-1 
LaunchedOctober 2017February 2016Fresher by 20 months
Display resolution1440k1037kCrisper display (+403k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony A7R III

 K-1 A7R III 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-1 offers 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 A7R III has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the K-1 and the A7R III.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and A7R III is 55 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The visual below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 and A7R III.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony A7R III to provide extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The older K-1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography info
Sony A7R III Portrait photography info
85
has manual focus
megapixel count excellent (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
86
you can focus manually
fantastic sensor resolution (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography information
Sony A7R III Street photography information
70
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
very good ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010g)
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
environment sealing
very good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography features
Sony A7R III Sports photography features
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (4.4 frames/s)
not so great battery (760 CIPA)
89
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic sensor resolution (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery (650 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography details
Sony A7R III Travel photography details
53
weather sealing
megapixel count excellent (36MP)
not so great battery (760 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
74
good battery (650 shots)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
fantastic sensor resolution (42MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography details
Sony A7R III Landscape photography details
81
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
not so great battery (760 CIPA)
87
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic sensor resolution (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (32,000)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery (650 CIPA)
has double storage slots
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging information
Sony A7R III Vlogging information
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
37
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sony A7R III
 Pentax K-1Sony Alpha A7R III
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-1 Sony Alpha A7R III
Category Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2016-02-17 2017-10-25
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-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 36 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 7360 x 4912 7952 x 5304
Maximum native ISO 204800 32000
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 33 425
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Total lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.4 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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 Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010g (2.23 lbs) 657g (1.45 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 96 100
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.6 14.7
DXO Low light rating 3280 3523
Other
Battery life 760 images 650 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Storage slots Two Two
Launch price $1,499 $2,800