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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 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
  • Updated by Pentax K-1 II
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
  • Announced October 2008
  • Newer Model is Sony A99
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Pentax K-1 versus Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and A900 (25MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The K-1 was released 7 years after the A900 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the K-1 matches up vs the A900 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony A900

 K-1 A900 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016October 2008Newer by 90 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

 A900 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony A900

 K-1 A900 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-1 has got 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) whilst the Sony A900 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

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

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the K-1 against the A900.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and A900 is 55 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing specs. The image below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 and A900.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax K-1 to produce more detail as a result of its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern K-1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography info
Sony A900 Portrait photography info
85
manual focus
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
71
focusing manually
excellent sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-1
Street photography with Sony A900
70
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010g)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A900 as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.4 fps)
low battery power (760 CIPA)
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent sensor resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-1
Travel photography with Sony A900
53
environment sealing
high megapixels (36MP)
low battery power (760 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
54
weather sealing
excellent sensor resolution (25MP)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography advice
Sony A900 Landscape photography advice
81
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
low battery power (760 CIPA)
72
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
no liveview
no Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A900 as a Vlogging camera
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
9
no video
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sony A900
 Pentax K-1Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2016-02-17 2008-10-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 7360 x 4912 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 204800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 33 9
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.4 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200s 1/250s
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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010g (2.23 lb) 895g (1.97 lb)
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 score 96 79
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 12.3
DXO Low light score 3280 1431
Other
Battery life 760 shots 880 shots
Battery type 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 recording
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
Cost at release $1,499 $2,736