• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800

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Differences

Sony A7S II advantages over Pentax K-1

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.40 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    60 mm vs 85 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    627g vs 1015g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 204800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax K-1 advantages over Sony A7S 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
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 760 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 12.2 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

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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-1

Review Excerpt

  • Comfortable and surprisingly compact camera body; Improved low light performance; Built-in image stabilization; Wide range of usable ISOs; More sophisticated autofocus performance; Excellent video capabilities.

  • Relatively low resolution; Mediocre continuous shooting performance; No built-in flash; No losslessly compressed RAW option.

  • Read our Sony A7S II Review

  • Unlocks the full potential of full-frame Pentax lenses; Excellent image quality; Great ergonomics and build; Very compact for full-frame; Decent performance; Fast autofocus with great low-light capabilities; Very wide sensitivity range; Bright, accurate viewfinder; Articulated LCD; Stabilization, Wi-Fi and GPS in-camera

  • No built-in flash strobe; Quite heavy compared to APS-C flagships; Somewhat soft images and blown highlights by default in JPEG mode; Warm Auto white balance indoors; Slow startup and buffer clearing; Small top-deck status display; Weak viewfinder illumination; Below-average battery life for DSLR

  • Read our Pentax K-1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7S

Sony A7S II
Sony A7S
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A7S II vs Sony A7S

Pentax K-1
Sony A7S
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7S

Compared to Canon 5DS

Sony A7S II
Canon 5DS
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A7S II vs Canon 5DS

Pentax K-1
Canon 5DS
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7S II
Sony A9
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A7S II vs Sony A9

Pentax K-1
Sony A9
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Sony A9

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A7S II
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7S II vs Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Sony A7S III

Sony A7S II
Sony A7S III
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Sony A7S II vs Sony A7S III

Pentax K-1
Sony A7S III
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Sony A7S III

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