• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Pentax KP advantages over Sony A9

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $999 vs $2995
    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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.09 vs 0.22 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 204800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A9 advantages over Pentax KP

  • 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
  • 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 650 vs 390 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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
    20.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    364 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
    240 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

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Review Excerpt

  • New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.

  • Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.

  • Read our Sony A9 Review

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 A9
Pentax K-3 II
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Pentax KP
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax KP vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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 A9
Nikon D5600
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 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 A9
Canon T7i
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A9 vs Canon T7i

Compared to Sony A9 II

Pentax KP
Sony A9 II
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax KP vs Sony A9 II

Sony A9
Sony A9 II
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

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