Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850
58 Imaging
71 Features
86 Overall
77
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54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(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
(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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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-3 Mark III and Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The full galleries are available at Pentax K-3 III Gallery and Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Sony A850
K-3 III | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | March 2021 | ![]() | April 2010 | Fresher by 134 months |
Screen size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1620k | ![]() | 922k | Sharper screen (+698k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax K-3 III
A850 | K-3 III |
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Common features in the Pentax K-3 III and Sony A850
K-3 III | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.
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Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 III and A850 is 58 and 54 respectively.
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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.
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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A850 Specifications
Pentax K-3 Mark III | Sony 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 |