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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A850

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67
Pentax K-5 II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-5
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed April 2010
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A850 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the K-5 II (16MP) and A850 (25MP) and the K-5 II (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) use different sensor dimensions.

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The K-5 II was unveiled 3 years after the A850 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the K-5 II matches up versus the A850 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Sony A850

 K-5 II A850 
RevealedJune 2013April 2010More modern by 39 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax K-5 II

 A850 K-5 II 
Screen resolution922k921kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A850

 K-5 II A850 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera often, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 II enjoys physical dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) whilst the Sony A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A850 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the K-5 II against the A850.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A850 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 II and A850 is 60 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through technical specs. The image here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 II and A850.

As you have seen, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-5 II having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A850 will provide you with greater detail having an extra 9MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more modern K-5 II should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography information
Sony A850 Portrait photography information
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
72
focusing manually
MP count amazing (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Street photography details
Sony A850 Street photography details
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
no articulating screen
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Sports photography factors
Sony A850 Sports photography factors
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Travel photography details
Sony A850 Travel photography details
65
environment proof
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
55
weather proofing
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography factors
Sony A850 Landscape photography factors
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
2 card slots
does not have liveview
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 II and Sony A850
 Pentax K-5 IISony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-5 II Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-06-04 2010-04-15
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest boosted ISO 51200 6400
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 760 grams (1.68 lb) 895 grams (1.97 lb)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 12.2
DXO Low light rating 1235 1415
Other
Battery life 980 shots 880 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots One Two
Pricing at launch $830 $0