Pentax K-1 vs Sony SLT Alpha 99 II — Which Is Better?

The Pentax K-1 and the Sony SLT Alpha 99 II are both DSLRs released in 2016. The A99 II is the lighter carry at 849 g, against 1010 g for the K-1, a 161 g difference. The A99 II is also shallower at 76 mm deep versus 86 mm, while the K-1 is narrower at 137 mm wide versus 143 mm.

The A99 II is the stronger choice for fast action and heavy cropping. Its 42.4 megapixels, against 36.4 on the K-1, give more room to crop a distant subject. Its 12 fps continuous rate, nearly triple the K-1's 4.4 fps, keeps up with moving wildlife or sport. Its 79 autofocus points, against 33, spread tracking coverage wider.

Lens mounts differ, with the K-1 taking Pentax KAF and the A99 II Sony Alpha, so each draws on its own native lens range. The K-1's ISO settings reach far higher, 204800 against a 25600 native ceiling on the A99 II, or 102400 expanded. An optical pentaprism serves the K-1, while the A99 II's 2359296-dot electronic finder previews exposure before capture. Both stabilise the sensor and share a 1/8000 second top shutter speed.

The A99 II is the clear pick for video. It records 4K footage, while the K-1 tops out at Full HD. Its maximum frame rate reaches 120 fps, twice the K-1's 60 fps ceiling, for stronger slow-motion playback. It records in XAVCS, AVCHD or MP4 files for editing flexibility.

The K-1 counters with a built-in timelapse function the A99 II lacks, so sequences of tides, clouds or stars need no external trigger. Its clips record as MOV files.

The K-1 is the better-connected camera for field workflows. It offers GPS for geotagging landscape and travel shots plus WiFi for wireless transfer, while the A99 II has neither, offering Bluetooth instead. Both take external flash units.

Weather sealing is shared, so both suit dusty or damp outdoor shoots. Both also have articulating LCD screens with live view for low-angle and overhead framing. The K-1's screen is larger at 3.2 inches against 3, while the A99 II's carries more dots, 1228800 against 1037000.

Storage is a shared strength. Each camera carries dual SD card slots taking UHS-I SD, SDHC and SDXC media, leaving room for extra capacity or separate stills and video cards.

The K-1 holds the battery advantage, rated for 760 shots against 490 for the A99 II. Each uses its own battery, the D-LI90 on the K-1 and the NP-FM500H on the A99 II, and neither charges over USB.