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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A900

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68
Pentax K-5 IIs front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
62
Overall
65

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Updated by Sony A99
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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A900 Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Pentax K-5 IIs versus Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the K-5 IIs (16MP) and A900 (25MP) and the K-5 IIs (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) boast different sensor measurements.

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The K-5 IIs was brought out 4 years later than the A900 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the K-5 IIs grades versus the A900 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Sony A900

 K-5 IIs A900 
IntroducedJune 2013October 2008Fresher by 57 months

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 A900 K-5 IIs 
Screen resolution922k921kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony A900

 K-5 IIs A900 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-5 IIs provides outside dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) while the Sony A900 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-5 IIs versus Sony A900 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the K-5 IIs and the A900.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A900 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 IIs and A900 is 60 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing only by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic here will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 IIs and A900.

Clearly, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The K-5 IIs featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A900 will provide more detail having its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively. The younger K-5 IIs provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography highlights
Sony A900 Portrait photography highlights
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
72
you can focus manually
excellent MP (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography highlights
Sony A900 Street photography highlights
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography features
Sony A900 Sports photography features
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent MP (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography advice
Sony A900 Travel photography advice
65
weather proof
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
55
environment proofing
excellent MP (25MP)
no Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
Landscape photography with Sony A900
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
supports RAW files
weather proof
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent MP (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
no liveview feature
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Vlogging camera
Sony A900 as a Vlogging camera
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
9
no video
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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony A900
 Pentax K-5 IIsSony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-5 IIs Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-06-04 2008-10-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 372.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest boosted ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
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
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 760 gr (1.68 lb) 895 gr (1.97 lb)
Physical 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 23.9 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 12.3
DXO Low light rating 1208 1431
Other
Battery life 980 photos 880 photos
Battery form 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 media SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots Single 2
Launch cost $749 $2,736