Pentax K10D vs Sony A850
59 Imaging
48 Features
43 Overall
46


54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Pentax K10D vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 793g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
- Announced December 2006
- Replacement is Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Introduced April 2010

Pentax K10D vs Sony A850 Overview
Below, we are matching up the Pentax K10D versus Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the K10D (10MP) and A850 (25MP) and the K10D (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) possess different sensor sizes.

The K10D was released 4 years before the A850 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the K10D scores versus the A850 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K10D vs Sony A850 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K10D & Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax K10D Gallery & Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K10D over the Sony A850
K10D | A850 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax K10D
A850 | K10D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2010 | ![]() | December 2006 | Newer by 40 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 210k | Clearer display (+712k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K10D and Sony A850
K10D | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Pentax K10D vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K10D offers physical dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 793 grams (1.75 lbs) and the Sony A850 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).
Check out the Pentax K10D versus Sony A850 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the K10D compared to the A850.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the K10D and A850 is 59 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K10D vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions just by viewing specifications. The pic underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K10D and A850.
To sum up, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K10D featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A850 will render greater detail as a result of its extra 15 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged K10D will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K10D vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K10D vs Sony A850 Specifications
Pentax K10D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K10D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2006-12-15 | 2010-04-15 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 25 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 6048 x 4032 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 210k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 98 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Auto Red Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180s | 1/250s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Max video resolution | None | None |
Microphone 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 793 grams (1.75 pounds) | 895 grams (1.97 pounds) |
Dimensions | 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 66 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.7 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.6 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | 522 | 1415 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 880 images |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Storage slots | One | 2 |
Price at launch | $700 | $0 |