Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850
60 Imaging
54 Features
69 Overall
60
![Pentax K-7 front Pentax K-7 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Pentax-K-7.jpg)
![Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850/Sony-A850-front.jpg)
54 Imaging
68 Features
60 Overall
64
Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 2000 (Boost to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Launched October 2009
- New Model is Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Released April 2010
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 Overview
Following is a complete comparison of the Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-7 (15MP) and A850 (25MP) and the K-7 (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) possess different sensor measurements.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
The K-7 was announced 6 months earlier than the A850 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the K-7 grades vs the A850 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-7 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-7 Gallery and Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Sony A850
K-7 | A850 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax K-7
A850 | K-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 921k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K-7 and Sony A850
K-7 | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2009 | ![]() | April 2010 | Similar generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-7 comes with external measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs) and 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).
Analyze the Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the K-7 versus the A850.
![Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 size comparison Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-7-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-size-comparison.jpg)
Using size and weight, the portability score of the K-7 and A850 is 60 and 54 respectively.
![Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-7-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading through technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the K-7 and A850.
As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-7 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A850 will resolve greater detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics far more aggressively.
![Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-K-7-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-7-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850 Specifications
Pentax K-7 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-7 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2009-10-02 | 2010-04-15 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Prime II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 365.0mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixels | 25 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4672 x 3104 | 6048 x 4032 |
Max native ISO | 2000 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Total lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 921k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | TFT color LCD with AR coating | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 98 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 750 grams (1.65 lbs) | 895 grams (1.97 lbs) |
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 Overall rating | 61 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.6 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.6 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 536 | 1415 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 980 images | 880 images |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/MMC | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Storage slots | One | Dual |
Cost at release | $599 | $0 |