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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV

Portability
55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
Portability
62 Imaging
80 Features
93 Overall
85

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Updated by Pentax K-1 II
Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Announced July 2019
  • Replaced the Sony A7R III
  • Refreshed by Sony A7R V
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV Overview

Here is a complete assessment of the Pentax K-1 and Sony A7R IV, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and A7R IV (61MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The K-1 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the A7R IV and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A7R IV being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the K-1 matches up versus the A7R IV in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

          

          

            
 K-1 A7R IV 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
          

        


        

          

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

          

          

            
 A7R IV K-1 
AnnouncedJuly 2019February 2016Fresher by 41 months
Screen resolution1440k1037kSharper screen (+403k dot)
Touch screen  Quickly navigate
          

        


        

          

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

          

          

            
 K-1 A7R IV 
Focus manually  More accurate focus
Selfie screen  Neither contains selfie screen
          

        

        

	
	
	
	

        

          

            
Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV Physical Comparison

          

          

            
For those who are intending to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-1 has got physical measurements 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 A7R IV has dimensions of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax K-1 and Sony A7R IV in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the K-1 against the A7R IV.
Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV size comparison
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and A7R IV is 55 and 62 respectively.
Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV top view buttons comparison          

        


        

          

            
Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV Sensor Comparison

          

          

            
In many cases, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through specifications. The visual below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 and A7R IV.
Plainly, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Sony A7R IV to provide extra detail having an extra 25MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The older K-1 will be behind in sensor technology.

            Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV sensor size comparison
          

        


        

          

            
Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and ViewFinder

          

          

                      

          Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison        


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Photography Type Scores

          

        

        
Portrait Comparison
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A7R IV Portrait photography highlights
85
 manual focus
 resolution is excellent (36MP)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 offers face detect focusing
 exports RAW files
88
 has manual focus
 excellent megapixels (61MP)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 offers face detect focusing
 supports RAW files
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Street Comparison
Pentax K-1 Street photography details
Sony A7R IV Street photography details
70
 screen articulates
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 exports RAW files
 weather proof
 good high ISO (204,800)
 heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
79
 tilting screen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 supports RAW files
 has focus by touch
 environment sealing
 very good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
Sports photography with Sony A7R IV
76
 max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 resolution is excellent (36 megapixels)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 offers tracking focus
 weather proof
 sensor has phase detect AF
 continuous shooting slow (4.4 frames/s)
 bad battery power (760 per charge)
90
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 excellent megapixels (61MP)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 offers tracking focus
 environment sealing
 better than average battery pack (670 per charge)
 has phase detect AF
Photography Glossary
Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Pentax K-1
Travel photography with Sony A7R IV
53
 weather proof
 resolution is excellent (36 megapixels)
 bad battery power (760 CIPA)
 heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
 display isn't selfie friendly
74
 better than average battery pack (670 CIPA)
 environment sealing
 supports bluetooth
 has focus by touch
 excellent megapixels (61MP)
 does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison
 Pentax K-1 as a Landscape photography camera
 Sony A7R IV as a Landscape photography camera
81
 manual focus
 switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
 nice screen size (3.2 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 resolution is excellent (36 megapixels)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 does not have low pass filter
 good high ISO (204,800)
 exports RAW files
 weather proof
 has dual storage slots
 bad battery power (760 shots)
88
 has manual focus
 change lenses (Sony E mount)
 screen is a decent size (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 excellent megapixels (61MP)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 doesnt have anti aliasing filter
 very good ISO range (32,000)
 supports RAW files
 environment sealing
 better than average battery pack (670 CIPA)
 has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison
Pentax K-1 Vlogging advice
Sony A7R IV Vlogging advice
31
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 offers face detect focusing
 great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 includes mic jack
 display isn't selfie friendly
 heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
37
 built-in touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 offers face detect focusing
 video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
 has mic port
 does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV Specifications

          

          

                      


          

            Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sony A7R IV
 Pentax K-1Sony Alpha A7R IV
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-1 Sony Alpha A7R IV
Type Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2016-02-17 2019-07-16
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-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 61 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Peak resolution 7360 x 4912 9504 x 6336
Highest native ISO 204800 32000
Highest enhanced ISO - 102800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format    
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch to focus    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Autofocus center weighted    
Multi area autofocus    
Live view autofocus    
Face detection autofocus    
Contract detection autofocus    
Phase detection autofocus    
Number of focus points 33 567
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Available lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch function    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.4 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range 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.
External flash    
AE bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Max flash sync 1/200 secs 1/250 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic 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 proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 pounds) 665 grams (1.47 pounds)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 96 99
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 14.8
DXO Low light score 3280 3344
Other
Battery life 760 shots 670 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature    
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 2 2
Cost at release $1,499 $3,498