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Pentax KP vs Sony A9

Portability
61 Imaging
67 Features
76 Overall
70
Pentax KP front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65 Imaging
73 Features
93 Overall
81

Pentax KP vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Released January 2017
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • New Model is Sony A9 II
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Pentax KP vs Sony A9 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Pentax KP versus Sony A9, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the KP (24MP) and the A9 (24MP) is very similar but the KP (APS-C) and A9 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The KP was released 2 months prior to the A9 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summation of how the KP matches up vs the A9 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Sony A9

					

					

						
 KP A9 
					

				


				

					

						
Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Pentax KP

					

					

						
 A9 KP 
Display resolution1440k921kCrisper display (+519k dot)
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
					

				


				

					

						
Common features in the Pentax KP and Sony A9

					

					

						
 KP A9 
IntroducedJanuary 2017April 2017Similar generation
Focus manually  More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen  Neither has selfie screen
					

				

				

	
	
	
	

				

					

						
Pentax KP vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

					

					

						
In case you're looking to travel with your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax KP has physical dimensions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") having a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).
Check the Pentax KP versus Sony A9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the KP vs the A9.
Pentax KP vs Sony A9 size comparison
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the KP and A9 is 61 and 65 respectively.
Pentax KP vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison					

				


				

					

						
Pentax KP vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

					

					

						
Usually, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading specs. The image below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the KP and A9.
All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact MP but different sensor dimensions. The KP comes with the tinier sensor which will make achieving bokeh trickier.

						Pentax KP vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison
					

				


				

					

						
Pentax KP vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

					

					

											

					Pentax KP vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison				


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Photography Type Scores

					

				

				
Portrait Comparison
Pentax KP Portrait photography information
Sony A9 Portrait photography information
80
 has manual focus
 sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is decent (APS-C)
 features face detect focusing
 saves RAW formats
83
 you can focus manually
 decent sensor resolution (24MP)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 offers face detect focusing
 saves RAW files
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Street Comparison
Street photography with Pentax KP
Street photography with Sony A9
76
 tilting screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is decent (APS-C)
 saves RAW formats
 weather proofing
 great ISO range (819,200)
79
 tilting screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 saves RAW files
 supports focus by touch
 weather proof
 very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison
Pentax KP Sports photography factors
Sony A9 Sports photography factors
72
 high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
 silent shooting (1/24,000s)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is decent (APS-C)
 features tracking focus
 weather proofing
 low battery (390 per charge)
 lacks phase detect AF
86
 high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
 silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
 fast continuous shooting (20.0 fps)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent sensor resolution (24MP)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 offers tracking focus
 weather proof
 better than average battery (650 per charge)
 supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison
Pentax KP Travel photography advice
Sony A9 Travel photography advice
61
 weather proofing
 sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
 flash built-in
 low battery (390 CIPA)
 screen is not selfie friendly
73
 better than average battery (650 CIPA)
 weather proof
 has bluetooth
 supports focus by touch
 decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
 doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison
Pentax KP Landscape photography advice
Sony A9 Landscape photography advice
77
 has manual focus
 change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
 screen is a decent size (3")
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
 sensor size is decent (APS-C)
 great ISO range (819,200)
 saves RAW formats
 weather proofing
 low battery (390 shots)
85
 you can focus manually
 change lenses (Sony E mount)
 screen size is good (3 inch)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 very good high ISO (51,200)
 saves RAW files
 weather proof
 better than average battery (650 CIPA)
 has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Pentax KP
Vlogging with Sony A9
34
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 features face detect focusing
 high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 has microphone support
 screen is not selfie friendly
36
 touchscreen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 offers face detect focusing
 high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
 comes with microphone port
 doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary
				
								
				

					

						
Pentax KP vs Sony A9 Specifications

					

					

											


					

						Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax KP and Sony A9
 Pentax KPSony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax KP Sony Alpha A9
Category Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Released 2017-01-26 2017-04-19
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip PRIME IV BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and  16:9
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 819200 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos    
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch to focus    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Number of focus points 27 693
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Total lenses 151 121
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch operation    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/24000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 20.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash range 6.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack    
Headphone jack    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 703 gr (1.55 lbs) 673 gr (1.48 lbs)
Dimensions 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 390 shots 650 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature    
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 2
Cost at launch $747 $4,498