Sony A900 vs Pentax K-7

Cameras
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Sony A900 vs Pentax K-7

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35mm 861.6mm²
24.6 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony A900 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A900.

APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-7.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5
Compare K-7 vs K-5
Compare Sony A900 vs Pentax K-5

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Differences

Sony A900 advantages over Pentax K-7

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 5.07 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A900 test data on DxO Mark K-7 test data on DxO Mark

1,431 vs 536 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A900 test data on DxO Mark K-7 test data on DxO Mark

12.3 vs 10.6 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.6 vs 14.6 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility

Pentax K-7 advantages over Sony A900

Less expensive
$1300 vs $3000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Bigger JPEG buffer
20 vs 11 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Sony A900

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Review Excerpt

Read our Sony A900 Full Review

Read our Pentax K-7 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Sony A900

Sony DSLR-A380

$3000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A900 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Sony A850

Sony A900

Sony A850

$3000
35mm

Faster JPEG shooting

$2219
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony A900 vs Sony A850

Pentax K-7

Sony A850

$1300
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

$2219
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A850

Compared to Sony A55

Sony A900

Sony A55

$3000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A900 vs Sony A55

Pentax K-7

Sony A55

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A55

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A900

Nikon D800

$3000
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$1850
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A900 vs Nikon D800

Pentax K-7

Nikon D800

$1300
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1850
35mm

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A900

Canon 5D Mark III

$3000
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2079
35mm

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A900 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Pentax K-7

Canon 5D Mark III

$1300
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon 5D Mark III

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