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Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 IV

Portability
55
Imaging
75
Features
82
Overall
77
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV front
Portability
52
Imaging
53
Features
82
Overall
64

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Renewed by Pentax K-1 II
Sony RX10 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-600mm (F2.4-4.0) lens
  • 1095g - 133 x 94 x 145mm
  • Revealed September 2017
  • Superseded the Sony RX10 III
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 IV Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Pentax K-1 and Sony RX10 IV, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Large Sensor Superzoom by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and RX10 IV (20MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and RX10 IV (1") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-1 was manufactured 19 months prior to the RX10 IV making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony RX10 IV being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the K-1 scores against the RX10 IV in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony RX10 IV

 K-1 RX10 IV 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 IV over the Pentax K-1

 RX10 IV K-1 
RevealedSeptember 2017February 2016Newer by 19 months
Display resolution1440k1037kSharper display (+403k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony RX10 IV

 K-1 RX10 IV 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 IV Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-1 provides external 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 RX10 IV has sizing of 133mm x 94mm x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7") with a weight of 1095 grams (2.41 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-1 and Sony RX10 IV in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the K-1 versus the RX10 IV.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 IV size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and RX10 IV is 55 and 52 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 IV top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 IV Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The pic underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 and RX10 IV.

All in all, both of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The K-1 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax K-1 will provide extra detail due to its extra 16 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged K-1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 IV sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX10 IV Portrait photography highlights
85
you can focus manually
megapixel count high (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
71
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
offers face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography factors
Sony RX10 IV Street photography factors
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proof
good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
64
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
weather sealing
heavier than average (1,095g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX10 IV as a Sports photography camera
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (4.4 frames/s)
bad battery pack (760 CIPA)
76
excellent zoom range (24-600mm 25.0 x zoom)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (24.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
Sony RX10 IV Travel photography advice
53
weather proof
megapixel count high (36 megapixels)
bad battery pack (760 CIPA)
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
56
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average (1,095g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
Landscape photography with Sony RX10 IV
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (204,800)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
bad battery pack (760 CIPA)
62
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
weather sealing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.4)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-1
Vlogging with Sony RX10 IV
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly screen
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
29
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic jack
slow max aperture (f2.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than average (1,095g)
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sony RX10 IV
 Pentax K-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
Class Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-02-17 2017-09-12
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 204800 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 33 315
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-600mm (25.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.4-4.0
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.4 frames per sec 24.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings 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-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 secs 1/2000 secs
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010 gr (2.23 lbs) 1095 gr (2.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 133 x 94 x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 3280 not tested
Other
Battery life 760 shots 400 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 Single
Price at release $1,499 $1,698