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Pentax K-x vs Sony A9

Portability
69
Imaging
51
Features
47
Overall
49
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
72
Features
93
Overall
80

Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(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
Sony A9
(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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Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 Overview

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.

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The 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.

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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 
AnnouncedApril 2017December 2009More recent by 89 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kClearer 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-x and A9 is 69 and 65 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
62
focusing manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
83
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-x
Street photography with Sony A9
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
79
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
has touch focus
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x Sports photography factors
Sony A9 Sports photography factors
61
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery (650 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
53
good battery pack (1,900 per charge)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
73
great battery (650 shots)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
has touch focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
Sony A9 Landscape photography highlights
60
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12MP)
no Time Lapse recording
85
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
great battery (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Pentax K-x vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony A9
 Pentax K-xSony 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