Sony RX1R vs Pentax K-3 II

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Sony RX1R vs Pentax K-3 II

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35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
35.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX1R Review.
See real-world photos taken with the RX1R.

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

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

Succeeded by the Sony RX1R II
Compare RX1R vs RX1R II

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

Compare SONY RX1R II vs PENTAX K-3 III

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Differences

Sony RX1R advantages over Pentax K-3 II

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.
RX1R test data on DxO Mark K-3 II test data on DxO Mark

2,537 vs 1,106 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
482g vs 785g
Lighter weight

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Sony RX1R

Less expensive
$830 vs $2398
Save money for lenses or accessories
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

720 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
8.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
60 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.2 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
22 vs 15 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
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
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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read RX1R User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 II User Reviews

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Sony RX1R

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Review Excerpt

Significantly sharper, more detailed JPEG images than those from the RX1; JPEG processing appears to minimize moire and aliasing artifacts; Same price as the RX1; Full-frame, 24-megapixel compact camera with fast Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 T* lens; Blazing fast autofocus; Impressive image quality that rivals (and sometimes surpasses) full-frame DSLRs.
More prone to moire, aliasing and false color than the RX1; Only subtle improvement in sharpness in RAW files; Fixed-length lens limits shooting flexibility; Viewfinders (optical or electronic) only available as optional accessories; Extremely expensive for a compact camera.
Read our Sony RX1R Review

Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots
No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors
Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX1

Sony RX1R

Sony RX1

$2598
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$2398
35mm

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony RX1R vs Sony RX1

Pentax K-3 II

Sony RX1

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$2398
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX1

Compared to Canon T6i

Sony RX1R

Canon T6i

$2598
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX1R vs Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Compared to Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1R

Sony RX1R II

$2598
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3298
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX1R vs Sony RX1R II

Pentax K-3 II

Sony RX1R II

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3298
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX1R II

Compared to Pentax KP

Sony RX1R

Pentax KP

$2598
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX1R vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Compared to Zeiss ZX1

Sony RX1R

Zeiss ZX1

$2598
35mm

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$6000
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX1R vs Zeiss ZX1

Pentax K-3 II

Zeiss ZX1

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Zeiss ZX1

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