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Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-S2
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Previous Model is Sony A99
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the K-S1 (APS-C) and A99 II (Full frame) boast different sensor sizing.

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The K-S1 was brought out 3 years earlier than the A99 II which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the K-S1 grades against the A99 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Sony A99 II

 K-S1 A99 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Pentax K-S1

 A99 II K-S1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016August 2014Newer by 25 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k921kSharper screen (+308k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Sony A99 II

 K-S1 A99 II 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-S1 comes with external dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 II has measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the K-S1 versus the A99 II.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the K-S1 and A99 II is 69 and 57 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing technical specs. The image underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-S1 and A99 II.

As you can tell, each of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The K-S1 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A99 II will show more detail having its extra 22 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged K-S1 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography information
Sony A99 II Portrait photography information
77
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
86
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is great (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-S1
Street photography with Sony A99 II
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (558g)
very good high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Sports photography highlights
Sony A99 II Sports photography highlights
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
slow frames per second (5.4 frames/s)
low battery power (410 CIPA)
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Travel photography advice
Sony A99 II Travel photography advice
60
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery power (410 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
70
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
sensor resolution is great (42 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery pack (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-S1
Landscape photography with Sony A99 II
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
low battery power (410 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
82
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is great (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
2 card slots
terrible battery pack (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
Vlogging with Sony A99 II
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
78
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone support
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Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Sony A99 II
 Pentax K-S1Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-S1 Sony Alpha A99 II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-08-27 2016-09-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime MII Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 7952 x 5304
Max native ISO 51200 25600
Max enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 399
Cross focus points - 79
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.4 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 558 grams (1.23 lb) 849 grams (1.87 lb)
Physical dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 78 92
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 13.4
DXO Low light score 1061 2317
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 490 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery model D-LI109 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Card slots Single 2
Price at release $339 $3,198