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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77

Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
83
Overall
71

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77 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
  • Launched March 2021
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony A700
  • Newer Model is Sony A77 II
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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Pentax K-3 III versus Sony A77, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-3 III (26MP) and the A77 (24MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-3 III was revealed 9 years later than the A77 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a simple summation of how the K-3 III grades vs the A77 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Sony A77

 K-3 III A77 
AnnouncedMarch 2021October 2011Fresher by 115 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k921kCrisper screen (+699k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Pentax K-3 III

 A77 K-3 III 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-3 III and Sony A77

 K-3 III A77 
Manually focus More exact focus

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 III has got exterior measurements of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs) and the Sony A77 has dimensions of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") and a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-3 III versus Sony A77 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-3 III versus the A77.

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 III and A77 is 58 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by checking out a spec sheet. The visual below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 III and A77.

Clearly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax K-3 III to produce extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher K-3 III is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography factors
Sony A77 Portrait photography factors
82
you can focus manually
great resolution (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW formats
77
has manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-3 III
Street photography with Sony A77
70
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
features focus via touch
environment proof
good ISO range (1,600,000)
no moving screen
74
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Sports photography info
Sony A77 Sports photography info
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great resolution (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (800 CIPA)
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery pack (470 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Travel photography info
Sony A77 Travel photography info
64
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
features focus via touch
great resolution (26MP)
not so great battery pack (800 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
62
weather proof
good MP (24MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography highlights
Sony A77 Landscape photography highlights
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great resolution (26 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (1,600,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery pack (800 shots)
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
not so great battery pack (470 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Vlogging advice
Sony A77 Vlogging advice
35
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
76
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone socket
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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Sony A77
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIISony SLT-A77
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-3 Mark III Sony SLT-A77
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2021-03-31 2011-10-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 356.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 26 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6192 x 4128 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600000 16000
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 50
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch 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
Total focus points 101 19
Cross type focus points 25 11
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 156 143
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,620 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 820 grams (1.81 lb) 732 grams (1.61 lb)
Physical dimensions 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 801
Other
Battery life 800 photographs 470 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two Single
Cost at release $1,999 $900