• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Sony RX10 III advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Less expensive
    $1398* vs $1997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.2 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    29 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Sony RX10 III

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 420 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    85 mm vs 127 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 20.1 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    77 vs 44 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Versatile all-in-one replacement for a DSLR or mirrorless camera; Great handling and build; Excellent image quality; Spectacular zoom reach; Swift performance with generous buffer depths; Extremely capable video capture; Comprehensive remote control; Quick-and-easy image sharing

  • Extremely expensive for a fixed-lens camera; Fairly heavy for fixed-lens camera; Somewhat soft in the corners at wide-angle or tele; Noise reduction intrudes at higher sensitivities; No built-in ND filter; Not as fast when shooting raws; Slow buffer clearing

  • Read our Sony RX10 III 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 Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony RX10 III
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Sony RX10 III vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Pentax K-1 II
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony RX10 III
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

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

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Sony RX10 III
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX10 III vs Panasonic FZ2500

Pentax K-1 II
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic FZ2500

Compared to Nikon D850

Sony RX10 III
Nikon D850
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 III vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compared to Sony RX10 IV

Sony RX10 III
Sony RX10 IV
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony RX10 III vs Sony RX10 IV

Pentax K-1 II
Sony RX10 IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony RX10 IV

Compare Other Cameras?