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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850

Portability
58
Imaging
72
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Introduced March 2021
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed April 2010
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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Pentax K-3 III and Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-3 III (26MP) and the A850 (25MP) is pretty close but the K-3 III (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-3 III was unveiled 11 years later than the A850 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the K-3 III grades vs the A850 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Sony A850

 K-3 III A850 
RevealedMarch 2021April 2010Fresher by 134 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k922kSharper screen (+698k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax K-3 III

 A850 K-3 III 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 III and Sony A850

 K-3 III A850 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 III offers exterior measurements of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") along with a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs) and the Sony A850 has specifications 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 III and Sony A850 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the K-3 III and the A850.

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 III and A850 is 58 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing merely by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 III and A850.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-3 III having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-3 III will result in more detail having an extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer K-3 III is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography factors
Sony A850 Portrait photography factors
83
has manual focus
fantastic megapixels (26 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
72
you can focus manually
excellent resolution (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Street photography camera
Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
71
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
environment proof
very good high ISO (1,600,000)
screen is fixed
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Sports photography info
Sony A850 Sports photography info
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (26MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (800 per charge)
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
slow fps (3.0 fps)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3 III
Travel photography with Sony A850
64
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
offers focus via touch
fantastic megapixels (26 megapixels)
low battery pack (800 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
55
weather sealing
excellent resolution (25MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography advice
Sony A850 Landscape photography advice
80
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (26 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (1,600,000)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
low battery pack (800 shots)
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
2 card slots
does not have liveview
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Vlogging advice
Sony A850 Vlogging advice
35
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
9
no video
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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Sony A850
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIISony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-3 Mark III Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2021-03-31 2010-04-15
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23 x 15.5mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 356.5mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 26 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6192 x 4128 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 1600000 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 101 9
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 156 143
Crop factor 1.6 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,620k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 820 grams (1.81 lb) 895 grams (1.97 lb)
Physical dimensions 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1415
Other
Battery life 800 photographs 880 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Two Two
Price at release $1,999 $0