Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99
55 Imaging
74 Features
82 Overall
77
57 Imaging
68 Features
88 Overall
76
Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 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
- New Model is Pentax K-1 II
(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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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).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe 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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Here is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-1 & Sony SLT-A99. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-1 Gallery & Sony A99 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony A99
| K-1 | A99 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | February 2016 | December 2012 | More recent by 39 months | |
| Screen dimensions | 3.2" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Pentax K-1
| A99 | K-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 1229k | 1037k | Crisper 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 type | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated | Fully 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.
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.

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 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.
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 Specifications
| Pentax K-1 | Sony 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 |