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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99

Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Announced March 2021
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Launched December 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A900
  • Renewed by Sony A99 II
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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Pentax K-3 III versus Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-3 III (26MP) and the A99 (24MP) is pretty well matched but the K-3 III (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The K-3 III was released 8 years after the A99 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the K-3 III scores vs the A99 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Sony A99

 K-3 III A99 
LaunchedMarch 2021December 2012More modern by 102 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k1229kSharper screen (+391k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Pentax K-3 III

 A99 K-3 III 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-3 III and Sony A99

 K-3 III A99 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 III has got physical measurements of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") having a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has measurements of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-3 III versus Sony A99 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the K-3 III vs the A99.

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 III and A99 is 58 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The image here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 III and A99.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-3 III because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-3 III will give more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern K-3 III is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography highlights
Sony A99 Portrait photography highlights
82
manual focus
fantastic megapixels (26MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
81
focusing manually
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Street photography details
Sony A99 Street photography details
70
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
boasts touch focus
environment proof
great high ISO (1,600,000)
no moving screen
75
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Sports photography advice
Sony A99 Sports photography advice
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (26MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (800 shots)
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
low battery life (500 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Travel photography features
Sony A99 Travel photography features
64
environment proof
supports bluetooth
boasts touch focus
fantastic megapixels (26MP)
not so great battery pack (800 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
environment proof
decent MP (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery life (500 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography details
Sony A99 Landscape photography details
80
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (26 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
great high ISO (1,600,000)
supports RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
not so great battery pack (800 CIPA)
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
low battery life (500 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Vlogging camera
Sony A99 as a Vlogging camera
35
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
76
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic support
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Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Sony A99
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIISony SLT-A99
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-3 Mark III Sony SLT-A99
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2021-03-31 2012-12-12
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23 x 15.5mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 356.5mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 26 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6192 x 4128 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600000 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 101 19
Cross type focus points 25 11
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 156 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,620k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/250 secs
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 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 820 gr (1.81 lb) 812 gr (1.79 lb)
Dimensions 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 89
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1555
Other
Battery life 800 photos 500 photos
Battery style 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) Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots Two Two
Launch cost $1,999 $1,998