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Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
24
Overall
30
Pentax Optio I-10 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Pentax I-10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 153g - 101 x 65 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2010
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
  • Released December 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony A900
  • Refreshed by Sony A99 II
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Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99 Overview

Below is a detailed analysis of the Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the I-10 (12MP) and A99 (24MP) and the I-10 (1/2.3") and A99 (Full frame) have different sensor dimensions.

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The I-10 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the A99 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax I-10 being a Compact camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the I-10 matches up against the A99 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax I-10 over the Sony A99

 I-10 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Pentax I-10

 A99 I-10 
ReleasedDecember 2012January 2010More recent by 35 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kSharper screen (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax I-10 and Sony A99

 I-10 A99 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax I-10 comes with outside measurements of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has measurements of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Look at the Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the I-10 compared to the A99.

Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the I-10 and A99 is 93 and 57 respectively.

Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading through specifications. The graphic below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the I-10 and A99.

To sum up, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The I-10 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony A99 will give extra detail due to its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older I-10 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax I-10 Portrait photography advice
Sony A99 Portrait photography advice
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
81
focusing manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax I-10 Street photography highlights
Sony A99 Street photography highlights
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax I-10 Sports photography info
Sony A99 Sports photography info
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
low battery life (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax I-10 Travel photography features
Sony A99 Travel photography features
57
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
60
environment proof
good resolution (24MP)
selfie friendly display
no Timelapse function
low battery life (500 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax I-10 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A99 Landscape photography highlights
36
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
low battery life (500 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax I-10
Vlogging with Sony A99
28
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
76
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone socket
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Pentax I-10 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax I-10 and Sony A99
 Pentax Optio I-10Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio I-10 Sony SLT-A99
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-01-25 2012-12-12
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 153 gr (0.34 pounds) 812 gr (1.79 pounds)
Physical dimensions 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") 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 - 500 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots 1 Dual
Retail pricing $310 $1,998