Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7C

Cameras
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7C

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Sony A7C Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A7C.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A7C

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Sony A7C

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 60 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

Sony A7C advantages over Pentax K-3

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 3.91 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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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
4 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7C User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

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Buy the Sony A7C

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-60mm Lens

All A7C Deals

Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A7C, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sony A7C Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Sony A7C

Nikon D7100

$1598
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A7C vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Sony A7C

Nikon D5300

$1598
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7C vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Sony A7C

Nikon D7200

$1598
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1016
APS-C

Lens selection
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony A7C vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Canon EOS RP

Pentax K-3

Canon EOS RP

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$949
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon EOS RP

Sony A7C

Canon EOS RP

$1598
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$949
35mm

More telephoto lens reach
Wider angle kit lens

Compare Sony A7C vs Canon EOS RP

Compared to Sigma fp

Pentax K-3

Sigma fp

$699
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Internal flash

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sigma fp

Sony A7C

Sigma fp

$1598
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$1699
35mm

Thinner
More dots on screen

Compare Sony A7C vs Sigma fp

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