Pentax K-1 Mark II vs Sony SLT Alpha 99 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 36 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Pentax K-1 Mark II
80
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 42.4 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony SLT Alpha 99 II
77
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-1 Mark II and the Sony SLT Alpha 99 II are full-frame DSLRs from 2018 and 2016. Their mounts differ completely, Pentax KAF4 against Sony Alpha, so existing lenses usually decide which body is practical. The Sony is the lighter camera at 849 g against 1010 g for the Pentax. The Pentax is slightly shorter at 137 mm versus 143 mm but taller and deeper, so both fill similar bag space. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2018 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 21, 2018 | September 19, 2016 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 137 x 110 x 86 mm | 143 x 104 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 1010 g | 849 g |
| Optics | 85/100 | 82/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 99 II is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and fast action. Its 42.4 MP sensor gives 6.4 million more pixels than the Pentax's 36 MP for cropping distant wildlife, and its 12 fps burst nearly triples the Pentax's 4.4 fps. Autofocus spread also favours the Sony for off-centre subjects, 79 points against 33. Both cameras have in-body stabilisation for handheld shots in dim light. The Pentax's optical pentaprism viewfinder gives a direct view, while the Sony's electronic finder previews exposure and settings as captured. The Pentax offers far more ISO headroom for near-dark exposures, reaching 819200 ISO native and expanded against 25600 native and 102400 expanded on the Sony. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
36 MP050 | 42.4 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
7360 x 4912 | 7952 x 5304 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
35.9 x 24 | 24 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
4.4 fps045 | 12 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Pentax KAF4 | Sony Alpha |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime IV | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
8192003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
8192003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
330300 | 790300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony Alpha 99 II is the clear video camera, recording 4K while the Pentax stops at Full HD. Its footage holds up better on a large screen or when cropped in editing. Its 120 fps maximum frame rate doubles the Pentax's 60 fps, giving more slow-motion room for fast action. The Pentax answers with built-in timelapse for moving clouds or fading light. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD |  4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, H.264 | XAVCS, AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 72/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Pentax K-1 Mark II is the better-connected camera for location work, with both GPS and Wi-Fi built in. GPS tags each frame with coordinates for mapping wildlife or landscape archives, and Wi-Fi moves images to a phone. The Sony offers Bluetooth but has neither. Both offer weather sealing, an articulating screen for low-angle work and external flash support, with no touch screen or built-in flash on either. The Sony's rear screen is denser at 1228800 dots against 1037000, while the Pentax's is larger at 3.2 inches versus 3. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10370001150001500000 | 12288001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 65/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Pentax K-1 Mark II rates higher for battery life, with 670 shots against 490 for the Sony. For full days of shooting away from power, that rating favours the Pentax. Storage is a shared strength, with dual SD, SDHC and SDXC slots and UHS-I compatibility on both, so a second card adds capacity. Neither charges over USB, so both need external chargers. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I Compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | D-LI90 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
670 shots1505000 | 490 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 99 II if speed and detail drive your photography. Its 12 fps burst, 79-point autofocus and 42.4 MP sensor suit sports, wildlife and heavy cropping, and 4K video plus the 120 fps ceiling cover hybrid shooting. Choose the Pentax K-1 Mark II for landscape and location work, where GPS, Wi-Fi, built-in timelapse and the 670-shot rating serve a full field day.
With entirely different mounts deciding lens choice, action and video shooters gain more from the Sony, and outdoor stills photographers gain more from the Pentax.