Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV

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Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7R IV

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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 849.7mm²
61.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R IV Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7R IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R IV.
Compare Sony A7R IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7R IV conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Sony A7R V

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Differences

Pentax K-1 advantages over Sony A7R IV

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 3.76 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A7R IV advantages over Pentax K-1

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
Newer
5 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
665g vs 1015g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
61.0 vs 36.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.2 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
32 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 A7R IV 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

Outstanding image quality; Excellent high ISOs; Fast AF performance with Eye-AF tracking; 10fps bursts at full-resolution; Improved ergonomics; Dual UHS-II card slots; Higher-res EVF.
Expensive; No 4Kp60; Buffer clearing could be faster; Menus are still frustrating; Touchscreen underutilized; No built-in flash.
Read our Sony A7R IV 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 A7R IV

Canon 5DS

$3120
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A7R IV 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 A7R IV

Canon 5D Mark IV

$3120
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2099
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV 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 A7R IV

Pentax K-1 II

$3120
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Canon R5

Pentax K-1

Canon R5

$1800
35mm

High resolution composite
Built-in GPS

$3349
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon R5

Sony A7R IV

Canon R5

$3120
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$3349
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Pentax K-1

Nikon Z7 II

$1800
35mm

High resolution composite
Built-in GPS

$2330
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7R IV

Nikon Z7 II

$3120
35mm

High resolution composite
NFC

$2330
35mm

Bigger pixels
Top deck display

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Nikon Z7 II

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