Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A550
59 Imaging
66 Features
84 Overall
73


63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57
Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Introduced April 2015
- Succeeded the Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Released December 2009
- Older Model is Sony A100

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A550 Overview
Let's look a little more in depth at the Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A550, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and A550 (14MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The K-3 II was launched 5 years later than the A550 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the K-3 II scores vs the A550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A550 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-3 II & Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax K-3 II Gallery & Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Sony A550
K-3 II | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2015 | ![]() | December 2009 | Fresher by 66 months |
Display size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 922k | Clearer display (+115k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax K-3 II
A550 | K-3 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Sony A550
K-3 II | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 II enjoys outside dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Check out the Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A550 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the K-3 II versus the A550.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 II and A550 is 59 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 II and A550.
All in all, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax K-3 II to result in more detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more recent K-3 II should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A550 Specifications
Pentax K-3 II | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-3 II | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2015-04-23 | 2009-12-09 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime III | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 366.6mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 27 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 1,037k dots | 922k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.3fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
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 (available with dedicated external flash) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 800 grams (1.76 lbs) | 632 grams (1.39 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 80 | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.6 | 21.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.6 | 11.8 |
DXO Low light rating | 1106 | 807 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 720 photographs | 480 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Two | 1 |
Launch pricing | $829 | $749 |