• 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 A9 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1997 vs $4498*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • 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 A9 II advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • 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
  • Lighter weight
    678g vs 1010g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    361 vs 77 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    239 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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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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

The Competition

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 A9 II
Pentax K-1
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A9 II 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 A9 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A9 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony A9

Pentax K-1 II
Sony A9
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A9

Sony A9 II
Sony A9
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Newer
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 II vs Sony A9

Compared to Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Sony A9 II
Nikon D850
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A9 II vs Nikon D850

Compared to Canon R6

Pentax K-1 II
Canon R6
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • High resolution composite
  • Built-in GPS
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon R6

Sony A9 II
Canon R6
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • More pixels
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A9 II vs Canon R6

Compare Other Cameras?