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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Introduced October 2008
  • Refreshed by Sony A99
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Pentax K-3 versus Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the A900 (25MP) is very comparable but the K-3 (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The K-3 was released 5 years after the A900 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the K-3 matches up versus the A900 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony A900

 K-3 A900 
IntroducedApril 2014October 2008More modern by 67 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k922kClearer display (+115k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Pentax K-3

 A900 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony A900

 K-3 A900 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-3 has got exterior measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony A900 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-3 versus Sony A900 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the K-3 versus the A900.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and A900 is 59 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes just by going through a spec sheet. The image below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 and A900.

Clearly, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-3 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony A900 will produce greater detail as a result of its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more recent K-3 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography details
Sony A900 Portrait photography details
79
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
71
focusing manually
MP count amazing (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-3
Street photography with Sony A900
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography features
Sony A900 Sports photography features
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (560 CIPA)
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A900 as a Travel photography camera
60
weather proofing
good megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery life (560 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly display
54
weather proof
MP count amazing (25MP)
does not have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A900 as a Landscape photography camera
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery life (560 shots)
72
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
does not have liveview
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A900 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
9
no video recording
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sony A900
 Pentax K-3Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2014-04-10 2008-10-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime III Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 27 9
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,037k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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 Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lb) 895 gr (1.97 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 12.3
DXO Low light rating 1216 1431
Other
Battery life 560 photographs 880 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots Dual Dual
Retail pricing $639 $2,736