Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850

Cameras
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Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-7.

35mm 861.6mm²
24.6 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony A850 Review.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5
Compare K-7 vs K-5
Compare Pentax K-5 vs Sony A850

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Differences

Pentax K-7 advantages over Sony A850

Less expensive
$1300 vs $2000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Faster JPEG shooting
5.2 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Sony A850 advantages over Pentax K-7

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 5.07 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
A850 test data on DxO Mark K-7 test data on DxO Mark

1,415 vs 536 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A850 test data on DxO Mark K-7 test data on DxO Mark

12.2 vs 10.6 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.6 vs 14.6 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-7 Full Review

Read our Sony A850 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Pentax K-7

Sony A900

$1300
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

$3000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A900

Sony A850

Sony A900

$2219
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$3000
35mm

Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony A850 vs Sony A900

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Sony A850

Sony DSLR-A380

$2219
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A850 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Canon T2i

Pentax K-7

Canon T2i

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon T2i

Sony A850

Canon T2i

$2219
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A850 vs Canon T2i

Compared to Sony A55

Pentax K-7

Sony A55

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A55

Sony A850

Sony A55

$2219
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A850 vs Sony A55

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Pentax K-7

Canon 5D Mark III

$1300
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III

$2219
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2079
35mm

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A850 vs Canon 5D Mark III

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