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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A700

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A700 Key Specs

Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-3
Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Launched December 2007
  • Replaced the Konica Minolta 7D
  • Updated by Sony A77
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A700 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Pentax K-3 II and Sony A700, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and A700 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was manufactured 7 years after the A700 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the K-3 II matches up vs the A700 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Sony A700

 K-3 II A700 
LaunchedApril 2015December 2007More modern by 90 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k920kSharper display (+117k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Pentax K-3 II

 A700 K-3 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Sony A700

 K-3 II A700 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 II has got external measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony A700 has dimensions of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") along with a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-3 II and Sony A700 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the K-3 II and the A700.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A700 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 II and A700 is 59 and 58 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to see the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The image underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 II and A700.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax K-3 II to render greater detail due to its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher K-3 II is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A700 as a Portrait photography camera
79
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
54
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography advice
Sony A700 Street photography advice
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography information
Sony A700 Sports photography information
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (720 shots)
56
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography info
Sony A700 Travel photography info
56
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
not so great battery pack (720 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
49
weather proofing
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-3 II
Landscape photography with Sony A700
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
not so great battery pack (720 per charge)
62
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
no liveview
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony A700 as a Vlogging camera
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly screen
9
can't record video
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Sony A700
 Pentax K-3 IISony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-3 II Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2015-04-23 2007-12-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 27 11
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.6x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.3fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 gr (1.76 lbs) 768 gr (1.69 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 66
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 11.9
DXO Low light rating 1106 581
Other
Battery life 720 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Dual Dual
Pricing at release $829 $1,000