Sony A99 vs Pentax K-3

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Sony A99 vs Pentax K-3

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

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A99.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A99 II
Compare A99 vs A99 II

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Compare SONY A99 II vs PENTAX K-3 II

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Differences

Sony A99 advantages over Pentax K-3

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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.
A99 test data on DxO Mark K-3 test data on DxO Mark

1,555 vs 1,216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder

Pentax K-3 advantages over Sony A99

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1150 vs $2800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More AF points
27 vs 19
More AF points improve autofocus
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 17 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A99 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A99

Body Only

All A99 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony A99 Review

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A99

Nikon D800

$1998
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1850
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D800

Pentax K-3

Nikon D800

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1850
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2079
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Pentax K-3

Canon 5D Mark III

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A99

Nikon D800E

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2212
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D800E

Pentax K-3

Nikon D800E

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2212
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Nikon D7100

Sony A99

Nikon D7100

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$745
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$745
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony A99

Nikon D7200

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1016
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A99 vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

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