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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 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
  • New Model is Pentax K-1 II
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Announced December 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A900
  • New Model is Sony A99 II
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 Overview

Below is a thorough analysis of the Pentax K-1 and Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and A99 (24MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The K-1 was introduced 3 years later than the A99 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the K-1 scores versus the A99 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony A99

 K-1 A99 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016December 2012More recent by 39 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Pentax K-1

 A99 K-1 
Screen resolution1229k1037kCrisper screen (+192k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony A99

 K-1 A99 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-1 offers outer measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Sony A99 has proportions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-1 and Sony A99 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the K-1 against the A99.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and A99 is 55 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements simply by going over specs. The visual here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 and A99.

All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Pentax K-1 to offer you more detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots more aggressively. The more recent K-1 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography details
Sony A99 Portrait photography details
85
manual focus
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
81
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography factors
Sony A99 Street photography factors
70
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
75
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography information
Sony A99 Sports photography information
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames per second)
bad battery power (760 per charge)
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
Sony A99 Travel photography advice
53
environment sealing
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
bad battery power (760 per charge)
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
environment proof
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery (500 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography details
Sony A99 Landscape photography details
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
good high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
bad battery power (760 shots)
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
not so great battery (500 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging info
Sony A99 Vlogging info
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than average (1,010g)
76
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone socket
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Sony A99
 Pentax K-1Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-1 Sony SLT-A99
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2016-02-17 2012-12-12
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 7360 x 4912 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 204800 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
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 19
Cross focus points 25 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.71x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.4 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 lb) 812 grams (1.79 lb)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 96 89
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 14.0
DXO Low light score 3280 1555
Other
Battery life 760 photographs 500 photographs
Type of battery 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 shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots 2 2
Cost at launch $1,499 $1,998