• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-1 advantages over Sony RX10 IV

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 760 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    85 mm vs 127 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony RX10 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher-res screen
    480k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    23.8 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    217 vs 74 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    24.2 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    112 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

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

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

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 RX10 IV
Canon 5DS
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX10 IV vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Sony RX10 III

Pentax K-1
Sony RX10 III
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Sony RX10 III

Sony RX10 IV
Sony RX10 III
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony RX10 IV vs Sony RX10 III

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 RX10 IV
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 IV vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Pentax K-1
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Sony RX10 IV
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX10 IV vs Panasonic FZ2500

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 RX10 IV
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 IV vs Pentax K-1 II

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