Pentax K-3 vs Sony A9
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73


65 Imaging
73 Features
93 Overall
81
Pentax K-3 vs Sony A9 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Revealed April 2014
- New Model is Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
- Revealed April 2017
- New Model is Sony A9 II

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A9 Overview
Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Pentax K-3 versus Sony A9, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the A9 (24MP) is relatively comparable but the K-3 (APS-C) and A9 (Full frame) possess different sensor sizing.

The K-3 was announced 4 years earlier than the A9 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the K-3 matches up versus the A9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A9 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-3 and Sony Alpha A9. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-3 Gallery and Sony A9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony A9
K-3 | A9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Pentax K-3
A9 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2017 | ![]() | April 2014 | Fresher by 36 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 1037k | Sharper screen (+403k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony A9
K-3 | A9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Pentax K-3 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 has outer dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax K-3 versus Sony A9 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the K-3 vs the A9.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and A9 is 59 and 65 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing purely by checking out specifications. The visual below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 and A9.
To sum up, the two cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The K-3 has the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging. The older K-3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A9 Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Sony Alpha A9 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-3 | Sony Alpha A9 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Pro Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2014-04-10 | 2017-04-19 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Prime III | BIONZ X |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 35.6 x 23.8mm |
Sensor area | 366.6mm² | 847.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 24MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 51200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 204800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | 693 |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
Total lenses | 151 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 1,440 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,686 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.78x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | - | 1/32000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0 frames/s | 20.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 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 | 3840x2160 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800g (1.76 lbs) | 673g (1.48 lbs) |
Dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 80 | 92 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 24.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.4 | 13.3 |
DXO Low light score | 1216 | 3517 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 560 images | 650 images |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | NP-FZ100 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) |
Card slots | Two | Two |
Retail cost | $639 | $4,498 |