• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Sony A65 advantages over Pentax K-5 II

  • Less expensive
    $1000 vs $1450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    846g vs 1200g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.61x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    15 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-5 II advantages over Sony A65

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.95 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,235 vs 717 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.1 vs 12.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 510 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A65

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5 II

Review Excerpt

  • Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Sharp, detailed images with very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Sony A65
Nikon D7000
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
Pentax K-5 II
Nikon D7000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D3200

Sony A65
Nikon D3200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-5 II
Nikon D3200
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Pentax K-30

Sony A65
Pentax K-30
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
Pentax K-5 II
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A65
Nikon D5200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-5 II
Nikon D5200
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Sony A58

Sony A65
Sony A58
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-5 II
Sony A58
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
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