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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Announced February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Introduced December 2007
  • Replaced the Konica Minolta 7D
  • Updated by Sony A77
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and A700 (12MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and A700 (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The K-1 was announced 8 years later than the A700 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise summary of how the K-1 scores vs the A700 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony A700

 K-1 A700 
IntroducedFebruary 2016December 2007More recent by 100 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k920kClearer display (+117k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Pentax K-1

 A700 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony A700

 K-1 A700 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-1 enjoys physical measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Sony A700 has specifications of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the K-1 versus the A700.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-1 and A700 is 55 and 58 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by checking specs. The visual underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 and A700.

All in all, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The K-1 having a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Pentax K-1 will give more detail with its extra 24MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The more modern K-1 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography info
Sony A700 Portrait photography info
85
has manual focus
MP count great (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-1
Street photography with Sony A700
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
great high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography factors
Sony A700 Sports photography factors
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames/s)
terrible battery pack (760 CIPA)
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A700 as a Travel photography camera
53
environment proofing
MP count great (36MP)
terrible battery pack (760 per charge)
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
display is not selfie friendly
49
weather proofing
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
Landscape photography with Sony A700
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (204,800)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
terrible battery pack (760 per charge)
62
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
no liveview
MP count low (12MP)
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-1
Vlogging with Sony A700
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sony A700
 Pentax K-1Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2016-02-17 2007-12-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 204800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 33 11
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.6x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.4fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
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, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 grams (2.23 lb) 768 grams (1.69 lb)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 96 66
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.6 11.9
DXO Low light rating 3280 581
Other
Battery life 760 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Two Two
Retail pricing $1,499 $1,000