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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A900

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
62
Overall
65

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Old Model is Pentax K-3
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • New Model is Sony A99
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A900 Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Pentax K-3 II versus Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-3 II (24MP) and the A900 (25MP) is fairly similar but the K-3 II (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) have different sensor sizes.

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The K-3 II was unveiled 6 years later than the A900 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the K-3 II matches up versus the A900 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Sony A900

 K-3 II A900 
LaunchedApril 2015October 2008Fresher by 80 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k922kClearer display (+115k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Pentax K-3 II

 A900 K-3 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Sony A900

 K-3 II A900 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 II has got external measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony A900 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-3 II versus Sony A900 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the K-3 II and the A900.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A900 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 II and A900 is 59 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The photograph below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 II and A900.

As you can tell, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-3 II having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A900 will offer you extra detail having an extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics more aggressively. The younger K-3 II provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 II
Portrait photography with Sony A900
79
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focus
exports RAW files
72
has manual focus
high resolution (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography factors
Sony A900 Street photography factors
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
no articulating screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
Sports photography with Sony A900
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (720 CIPA)
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high resolution (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3 II
Travel photography with Sony A900
56
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (24MP)
bad battery power (720 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
55
weather proof
high resolution (25MP)
no Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A900 as a Landscape photography camera
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery power (720 CIPA)
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high resolution (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
no liveview
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Vlogging features
Sony A900 Vlogging features
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Sony A900
 Pentax K-3 IISony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-3 II Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2015-04-23 2008-10-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 25MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6016 x 4000 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 27 9
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.3 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
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 (available with dedicated external flash) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 pounds) 895 gr (1.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 79
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 12.3
DXO Low light score 1106 1431
Other
Battery life 720 images 880 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots Two Two
Pricing at release $829 $2,736