Pentax KP vs Sony A1

Cameras
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Pentax KP vs Sony A1

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

35mm 861.6mm²
50.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A1.
Compare Sony A1 image quality against competitors.

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Differences

Pentax KP advantages over Sony A1

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$999 vs $5498
Save money for lenses or accessories
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A1 advantages over Pentax KP

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Shoot 4K video
No 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
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

530 vs 390 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/400 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
4 years vs 8 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More viewfinder magnification
0.90x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
50.1 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
165 vs 35 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
155 vs 10 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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A1 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A1, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sony A1 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-3 II

Sony A1

Pentax K-3 II

$5998
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Sony A1

Nikon D5600

$5998
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$898
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax KP

Canon T7i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

Sony A1

Canon T7i

$5998
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon T7i

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Pentax KP

Sony A7R IV

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

$3217
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax KP vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1

Sony A7R IV

$5998
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Longer video battery life

$3217
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon R5

Pentax KP

Canon R5

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$3349
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon R5

Sony A1

Canon R5

$5998
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$3349
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

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