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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A77 II

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 II front
Portability
62
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A77 II Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Later Model is Pentax K-3 II
Sony A77 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 647g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Introduced May 2014
  • Replaced the Sony A77
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A77 II Overview

Lets look much closer at the Pentax K-3 versus Sony A77 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the A77 II (24MP) is very similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-3 was released very close to the A77 II which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the K-3 grades vs the A77 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 K-3 A77 II 
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

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

 A77 II K-3 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k1037kClearer display (+192k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

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

 K-3 A77 II 
IntroducedApril 2014May 2014Similar generation
Manually focus More exact focusing
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A77 II Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 provides 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 A77 II has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") having a weight of 647 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-3 versus Sony A77 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the K-3 against the A77 II.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A77 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and A77 II is 59 and 62 respectively.

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

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A77 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading technical specs. The pic below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 and A77 II.

As you can tell, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of photos though you really should take the release date of the products into consideration.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A77 II sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A77 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography information
Sony A77 II Portrait photography information
79
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
79
has manual focus
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography advice
Sony A77 II Street photography advice
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
76
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography features
Sony A77 II Sports photography features
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
terrible battery power (560 shots)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery pack (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography details
Sony A77 II Travel photography details
60
environment sealing
MP count good (24MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery power (560 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
64
weather proofing
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (480 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
Sony A77 II Landscape photography information
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
terrible battery power (560 CIPA)
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
bad battery pack (480 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging info
Sony A77 II Vlogging info
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
77
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic socket
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A77 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sony A77 II
 Pentax K-3Sony SLT-A77 II
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-3 Sony SLT-A77 II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-04-10 2014-05-21
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 50
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 27 79
Cross type focus points 25 15
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Auto, fill, rear sync, slow sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lbs) 647 grams (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 82
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 24.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 13.4
DXO Low light rating 1216 1013
Other
Battery life 560 shots 480 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (Yes (2 or 12 sec))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual Single
Launch price $639 $1,198