• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Sony A7 III

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 204800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A7 III advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Less expensive
    $1498 vs $1997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.93 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    163 vs 77 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.7 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    33 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-1 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-105mm Lens
All K-1 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7 III
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-70mm Lens
All A7 III Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

  • New 24MP sensor offers excellent image quality; Outstanding high ISO performance and dynamic range; Improved JPEG colors; Improved build quality; Fast autofocus; Excellent 4K video; Very good battery life.

  • Buffer clearing can be slow even with fast UHS-II cards; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No losslessly compressed RAW option; Dedicated battery charger not included; Menus are still confusing; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Sony A7 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7 II

Pentax K-1 II
Sony A7 II
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III
Sony A7 II
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A7 III vs Sony A7 II

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-1
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $1800
  • 35mm

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-1

Sony A7 III
Pentax K-1
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A7 III vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A7 III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Sony A7 III
Nikon D850
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon D850

Compared to Nikon Z6

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon Z6
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • High resolution composite
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III
Nikon Z6
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6

Compare Other Cameras?