Clicky

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68
Pentax K-5 IIs front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push 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
  • Announced June 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-5
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Released December 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A900
  • Renewed by Sony A99 II
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99 Overview

Let's look closer at the Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the K-5 IIs (16MP) and A99 (24MP) and the K-5 IIs (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor measurements.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The K-5 IIs was brought out 6 months after the A99 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a concise summary of how the K-5 IIs matches up versus the A99 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Sony A99

 K-5 IIs A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 A99 K-5 IIs 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k921kCrisper screen (+308k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony A99

 K-5 IIs A99 
ReleasedJune 2013December 2012Similar generation
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-5 IIs enjoys physical 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 A99 has specifications of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the K-5 IIs against the A99.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the K-5 IIs and A99 is 60 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at technical specs. The picture here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 IIs and A99.

As you can tell, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The K-5 IIs because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A99 will give you extra detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs far more aggressively.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A99 as a Portrait photography camera
74
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
82
manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography information
Sony A99 Street photography information
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
75
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
above average ISO range (25,600)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography factors
Sony A99 Sports photography factors
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography features
Sony A99 Travel photography features
65
environment proof
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
60
environment sealing
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
missing Timelapse function
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography factors
Sony A99 Landscape photography factors
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
75
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
two card slots
bad battery power (500 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging details
Sony A99 Vlogging details
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
76
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone socket
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 IIs and Sony A99
 Pentax K-5 IIsSony SLT-A99
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-5 IIs Sony SLT-A99
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2013-06-04 2012-12-12
Physical type 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 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 19
Cross focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 760g (1.68 pounds) 812g (1.79 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 82 89
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 14.0
DXO Low light score 1208 1555
Other
Battery life 980 shots 500 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots One Two
Pricing at launch $749 $1,998