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Pentax KP vs Sony A99

Portability
61
Imaging
68
Features
76
Overall
71
Pentax KP front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Pentax KP vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Revealed January 2017
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Announced December 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony A900
  • Successor is Sony A99 II
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Pentax KP vs Sony A99 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Pentax KP and Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the KP (24MP) and the A99 (24MP) is relatively close but the KP (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) boast different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The KP was launched 4 years later than the A99 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief summation of how the KP grades versus the A99 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Sony A99

 KP A99 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017December 2012More recent by 51 months

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Pentax KP

 A99 KP 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k921kSharper screen (+308k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax KP and Sony A99

 KP A99 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax KP vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax KP has got outer measurements of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") along with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Sony A99 has sizing of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Check out the Pentax KP and Sony A99 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the KP versus the A99.

Pentax KP vs Sony A99 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the KP and A99 is 61 and 57 respectively.

Pentax KP vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Pentax KP vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements purely by viewing technical specs. The photograph here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the KP and A99.

As you can tell, both of these cameras provide the same MP albeit different sensor measurements. The KP includes the smaller sensor which should make achieving bokeh tougher. The more recent KP should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax KP vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Pentax KP vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax KP vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax KP Portrait photography highlights
Sony A99 Portrait photography highlights
80
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
82
focusing manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax KP as a Street photography camera
Sony A99 as a Street photography camera
76
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
very good ISO range (819,200)
75
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax KP Sports photography info
Sony A99 Sports photography info
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/24,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
not so great battery (390 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax KP Travel photography features
Sony A99 Travel photography features
62
environment proof
megapixel count good (24MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery (390 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
60
environment proofing
decent megapixels (24MP)
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (500 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax KP
Landscape photography with Sony A99
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (819,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
not so great battery (390 shots)
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
terrible battery pack (500 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax KP
Vlogging with Sony A99
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic port
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
76
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone socket
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Pentax KP vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax KP and Sony A99
 Pentax KPSony SLT-A99
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax KP Sony SLT-A99
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2017-01-26 2012-12-12
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip PRIME IV Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 819200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 27 19
Cross type focus points 25 11
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/24000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703 gr (1.55 pounds) 812 gr (1.79 pounds)
Physical dimensions 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 89
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1555
Other
Battery life 390 photos 500 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots 1 Two
Launch pricing $747 $1,998