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Pentax K-5 vs Sony A9

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Old Model is Pentax K-7
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • Updated by Sony A9 II
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony A9 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Pentax K-5 versus Sony A9, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the K-5 (16MP) and A9 (24MP) and the K-5 (APS-C) and A9 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The K-5 was announced 7 years earlier than the A9 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a concise view of how the K-5 matches up vs the A9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Sony A9

 K-5 A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Pentax K-5

 A9 K-5 
IntroducedApril 2017December 2010More recent by 77 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k921kClearer display (+519k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Sony A9

 K-5 A9 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-5 provides external measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) while the Sony A9 has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-5 versus Sony A9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the K-5 versus the A9.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 and A9 is 60 and 65 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking specifications. The graphic below may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-5 and A9.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The K-5 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony A9 will give extra detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older K-5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
84
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography details
Sony A9 Street photography details
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
79
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
supports focus by touch
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography details
Sony A9 Sports photography details
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
87
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery (650 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 Travel photography highlights
Sony A9 Travel photography highlights
65
weather proofing
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
74
better than average battery (650 per charge)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
supports focus by touch
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography information
Sony A9 Landscape photography information
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
86
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging information
Sony A9 Vlogging information
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
37
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Sony A9
 Pentax K-5Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-5 Sony Alpha A9
Class Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2010-12-18 2017-04-19
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime II BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 847.3mm²
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 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 51200 204800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 693
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Total lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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 Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s -
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 424 (25, 30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 740 gr (1.63 pounds) 673 gr (1.48 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 82 92
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 13.3
DXO Low light score 1162 3517
Other
Battery life 980 pictures 650 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots One 2
Retail price $800 $4,498