Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900
55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77


54 Imaging
66 Features
62 Overall
64
Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-1 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A900. The complete galleries are available at Pentax K-1 Gallery & Sony A900 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony A900
K-1 | A900 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2016 | ![]() | October 2008 | Newer by 90 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 922k | Crisper 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A900 Specifications
Pentax K-1 | Sony 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 |