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Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900

Portability
60
Imaging
55
Features
69
Overall
60
Pentax K-7 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
62
Overall
65

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed October 2008
  • Later Model is Sony A99
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Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Pentax K-7 and Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the K-7 (15MP) and A900 (25MP) and the K-7 (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The K-7 was released 12 months later than the A900 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the K-7 grades against the A900 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Sony A900

 K-7 A900 
RevealedOctober 2009October 2008Fresher by 12 months

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Pentax K-7

 A900 K-7 
Screen resolution922k921kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-7 and Sony A900

 K-7 A900 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-7 enjoys physical dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs) and the Sony A900 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-7 and Sony A900 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the K-7 versus the A900.

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the K-7 and A900 is 60 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing merely by going through technical specs. The visual below should give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-7 and A900.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The K-7 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony A900 will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The newer K-7 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-7 Portrait photography information
Sony A900 Portrait photography information
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW formats
72
focusing manually
fantastic MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
Sony A900 as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
no articulating screen
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-7 Sports photography information
Sony A900 Sports photography information
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-7 Travel photography details
Sony A900 Travel photography details
65
environment sealing
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have a selfie friendly display
55
environment sealing
fantastic MP (25 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-7 Landscape photography details
Sony A900 Landscape photography details
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
two card slots
no liveview feature
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-7 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A900 as a Vlogging camera
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-7 and Sony A900
 Pentax K-7Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-7 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-10-02 2008-10-22
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 dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 25MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4672 x 3104 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 2000 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT color LCD with AR coating TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 750 grams (1.65 pounds) 895 grams (1.97 pounds)
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 score 61 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 12.3
DXO Low light score 536 1431
Other
Battery life 980 shots 880 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots 1 Dual
Launch cost $599 $2,736