Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7 III

Cameras
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7 III

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35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 204,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1.
Compare Pentax K-1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 conclusion.

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 III.
Compare Sony A7 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 III conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-1 II
Compare K-1 vs K-1 II

Succeeded by the Sony A7 IV
Compare A7 III vs A7 IV

Compare PENTAX K-1 II vs SONY A7 IV

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Differences

Pentax K-1 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
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

Sony A7 III advantages over Pentax K-1

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
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7 III test data on DxO Mark K-1 test data on DxO Mark

3,730 vs 3,280 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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 4.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
163 vs 74 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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 III User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Unlocks the full potential of full-frame Pentax lenses; Excellent image quality; Great ergonomics and build; Very compact for full-frame; Decent performance; Fast autofocus with great low-light capabilities; Very wide sensitivity range; Bright, accurate viewfinder; Articulated LCD; Stabilization, Wi-Fi and GPS in-camera
No built-in flash strobe; Quite heavy compared to APS-C flagships; Somewhat soft images and blown highlights by default in JPEG mode; Warm Auto white balance indoors; Slow startup and buffer clearing; Small top-deck status display; Weak viewfinder illumination; Below-average battery life for DSLR
Read our Pentax K-1 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 Canon 5DS

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1549
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS

Sony A7 III

Canon 5DS

$1531
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A7 III vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A7 III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2099
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

$1800
35mm

$1747
35mm

Higher extended ISO

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Sony A7 III

Pentax K-1 II

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A7 III vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Nikon Z6

Pentax K-1

Nikon Z6

$1800
35mm

High resolution composite
Built-in GPS

$1396
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 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

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Pentax K-1

Nikon Z6 II

$1800
35mm

High resolution composite
Built-in GPS

$1747
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Nikon Z6 II

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6 II

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
NFC

$1747
35mm

Top deck display
Newer

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6 II

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