Sony A7 II vs Pentax K-1 II

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Sony A7 II vs Pentax K-1 II

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35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 II.
Compare Sony A7 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 II conclusion.

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1 II.
Compare Pentax K-1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 III
Compare A7 II vs A7 III
Compare Sony A7 III vs Pentax K-1 II

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Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Pentax K-1 II

Less expensive
$1598 vs $1997
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 4.88 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Thinner
59 mm vs 85 mm
Thinner
Bigger RAW buffer
28 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Sony A7 II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

670 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 70 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
Newer
7 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
36.4 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 51200 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
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
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 II User Reviews

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Kit with 28-70mm Lens

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Buy the Pentax K-1 II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-105mm Lens

All K-1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.
(Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).
Read our Sony A7 II Review

Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.
Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.
Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II

Sony A7

$1148
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Pentax K-1 II

Sony A7

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A7

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3999
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Pentax K-1 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A7 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1148
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2249
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Sony A7 II

Nikon D850

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2597
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7 II vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$2597
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1865
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Pentax K-1 II

Sony A7 III

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
High resolution composite

$1865
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A7 III

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