Sony A1 vs Pentax K-3 III

Cameras
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Sony A1 vs Pentax K-3 III

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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.

APS-C 361.2mm²
25.7 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1,600,000

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 III.

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Differences

Sony A1 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Higher max flash sync
1/400 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More pixels
50.1 vs 25.7 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 12.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
165 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Sony A1

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$2344 vs $6498*
Save money for lenses or accessories
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
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

800 vs 530 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher-res screen
540k vs 360k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.90x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
1600000 vs 102400 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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A1

Body Only

All A1 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 20-40mm F2.8-4 Lens
Kit with 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens

All K-3 III Deals

Review Excerpt

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-3 III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-3 III First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Pentax KP

Sony A1

Pentax KP

$6498
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 III

Pentax KP

$1847
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Sony A1

Sony A7R IV

$6498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Longer video battery life

$3220
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Pentax K-3 III

Sony A7R IV

$1847
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3220
35mm

Larger sensor
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon 90D

Sony A1

Canon 90D

$6498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Focus peaking

$1099
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon 90D

Pentax K-3 III

Canon 90D

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1099
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon 90D

Compared to Canon R5

Sony A1

Canon R5

$6498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$3349
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Pentax K-3 III

Canon R5

$1847
APS-C

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$3349
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A1

Nikon Z7 II

$6498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$2330
35mm

Less expensive
Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon Z7 II

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon Z7 II

$1847
APS-C

High resolution composite
More viewfinder magnification

$2330
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon Z7 II

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