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Pentax K-5 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-7
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Previous Model is Sony A99
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony A99 II Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Pentax K-5 and Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the K-5 (16MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the K-5 (APS-C) and A99 II (Full frame) enjoy different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The K-5 was launched 6 years prior to the A99 II which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the K-5 grades vs the A99 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 K-5 A99 II 

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

 A99 II K-5 
IntroducedSeptember 2016December 2010Newer by 70 months
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k921kSharper display (+308k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

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

 K-5 A99 II 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-5 provides outer 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 A99 II has measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") along with a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-5 and Sony A99 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the K-5 compared to the A99 II.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-5 and A99 II is 60 and 57 respectively.

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

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at specifications. The picture underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 and A99 II.

Plainly, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-5 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Sony A99 II will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 26MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged K-5 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A99 II Portrait photography highlights
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
86
focusing manually
MP count fantastic (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography information
Sony A99 II Street photography information
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
fixed screen
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Sports photography camera
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Travel photography camera
65
environment proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
70
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
MP count fantastic (42MP)
selfie friendly display
bad battery (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography advice
Sony A99 II Landscape photography advice
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
82
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
bad battery (490 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging features
Sony A99 II Vlogging features
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
78
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone support
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Pentax K-5 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Sony A99 II
 Pentax K-5Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-5 Sony Alpha A99 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2010-12-18 2016-09-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
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 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 12800 25600
Highest boosted ISO 51200 102400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 399
Cross type focus points 9 79
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 740 gr (1.63 lbs) 849 gr (1.87 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 92
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 13.4
DXO Low light rating 1162 2317
Other
Battery life 980 photos 490 photos
Battery style Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Card slots One 2
Retail price $800 $3,198