Pentax K-x vs Sony A9
69 Imaging
51 Features
47 Overall
49
65 Imaging
72 Features
93 Overall
80
Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
- Announced December 2009
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand 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
- Announced April 2017
- Replacement is Sony A9 II
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Here, we will be reviewing the Pentax K-x and Sony A9, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the K-x (12MP) and A9 (24MP) and the K-x (APS-C) and A9 (Full frame) posses totally different sensor size.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe K-x was introduced 8 years earlier than the A9 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the K-x matches up against the A9 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-x & Sony Alpha A9. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-x Gallery & Sony A9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony A9
| K-x | A9 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Pentax K-x
| A9 | K-x | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | April 2017 | December 2009 | More recent by 89 months | |
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 1440k | 230k | Clearer screen (+1210k dot) | |
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony A9
| K-x | A9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Very exact focus | |||
| Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen |
Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-x provides exterior measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).
See the Pentax K-x and Sony A9 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the K-x versus the A9.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-x and A9 is 69 and 65 respectively.
Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by reading technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-x and A9.
As you can tell, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The K-x using its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh harder and the Sony A9 will deliver greater detail using its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older K-x is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.
Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 Specifications
| Pentax K-x | Sony Alpha A9 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax K-x | Sony Alpha A9 |
| Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Pro Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2009-12-23 | 2017-04-19 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Prime | BIONZ X |
| Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
| Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 35.6 x 23.8mm |
| Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 847.3mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 51200 |
| Highest boosted ISO | 12800 | 204800 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW format | ||
| Min boosted ISO | - | 50 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 693 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
| Amount of lenses | 151 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 230k dot | 1,440k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,686k dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.57x | 0.78x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/6000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
| Maximum silent shutter speed | - | 1/32000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames/s | 20.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 16.00 m | no built-in flash |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash sync | 1/180 seconds | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) | - |
| Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 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 | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 580g (1.28 pounds) | 673g (1.48 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | 72 | 92 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 22.8 | 24.9 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 12.5 | 13.3 |
| DXO Low light score | 811 | 3517 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 1900 photographs | 650 photographs |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | 4 x AA | NP-FZ100 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) |
| Storage slots | One | Two |
| Price at launch | $600 | $4,498 |