• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A560 advantages over Pentax K-5 II

  • Less expensive
    $750 vs $1450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1050 vs 740 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Lighter weight
    903g vs 1200g
    Lighter weight
  • More AF points
    15 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus

Pentax K-5 II advantages over Sony DSLR-A560

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,235 vs 819 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.1 vs 12.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.61x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 13 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

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 Sony DSLR-A500

Sony DSLR-A560
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
Pentax K-5 II
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D7000

Sony DSLR-A560
Nikon D7000
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
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 D5100

Sony DSLR-A560
Nikon D5100
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Pentax K-5 II
Nikon D5100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Sony A57

Sony DSLR-A560
Sony A57
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video
Pentax K-5 II
Sony A57
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Pentax K-30

Sony DSLR-A560
Pentax K-30
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Pentax K-5 II
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
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