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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A99 II

The Pentax K-3 II and the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in April 2015 and September 2016. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (K-3 II) and a full frame (A99 II) sensor. The Pentax has a resolution of 24.1 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 42.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Pentax K-3 II
versus
Sony A99 II
Pentax K-3 II   Sony A99 II
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Pentax K mount lenses Sony A mount lenses
24.1 MP – APS-C sensor 42.2 MP – Full Frame sensor
1080/60i Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 100-51,200 ISO 100-25,600
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (2400k dots)
3.2" LCD – 1037k dots 3.0" LCD – 1229k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fully flexible screen (no touchscreen)
8.3 shutter flaps per second 12 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
720 shots per battery charge490 shots per battery charge
131 x 100 x 77 mm, 800 g 143 x 104 x 76 mm, 849 g
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Check K-3 II offers at
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Check A99 II offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Pentax K-3 II and the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Pentax K-3 II and the Sony A99 II is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The K-3 II can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the A99 II is only available in black.

Size Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A99 II
Compare K-3 II versus A99 II top
Comparison K-3 II or A99 II rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A99 II is notably larger (14 percent) than the Pentax K-3 II. Moreover, the A99 II is markedly heavier (6 percent) than the K-3 II. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the K-3 II gets 720 shots out of its Pentax D-LI90 battery, while the A99 II can take 490 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FM500H power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax K-3 II 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 720 Y Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A99 II 143 mm 104 mm 76 mm 849 g 490 Y Sep 2016 3,199ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 80D 139 mm 105 mm 79 mm 730 g 960 Y Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D7200 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 1110 Y Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic GX8 133 mm 78 mm 63 mm 487 g 330 Y Jul 2015 1,199ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax K-3 III 135 mm 104 mm 74 mm 820 g 800 Y Mar 2021 1,999 amazon.com
7.
 
Pentax KP 132 mm 101 mm 76 mm 703 g 390 Y Jan 2017 1,099ebay.com
8.
 
Pentax K-70 126 mm 93 mm 74 mm 688 g 410 Y Jun 2016 649ebay.com
9.
 
Pentax K-S2 123 mm 91 mm 73 mm 678 g 410 Y Feb 2015 749ebay.com
10.
 
Pentax K-3 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 560 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
11.
 
Pentax K-5 II 131 mm 97 mm 73 mm 760 g 740 Y Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
12.
 
Pentax K-5 131 mm 97 mm 73 mm 760 g 740 Y Sep 2010 1,099ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7R IIIA 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Apr 2021 3,199 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7R III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Oct 2017 3,199ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7R II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 625 g 290 Y Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A99 147 mm 111 mm 78 mm 812 g 500 Y Sep 2012 2,799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A900 156 mm 117 mm 82 mm 895 g 880 Y Sep 2008 2,999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The K-3 II was launched at a markedly lower price (by 66 percent) than the A99 II, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Pentax K-3 II features an APS-C sensor and the Sony A99 II a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A99 II is 135 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Pentax K-3 II and Sony A99 II sensor measures

With 42.2MP, the A99 II offers a higher resolution than the K-3 II (24.1MP), but the A99 II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.52μm versus 3.90μm for the K-3 II) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A99 II is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 4 months) than the K-3 II, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A99 II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A99 II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 39.8 x 26.5 inches or 101 x 67.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 31.8 x 21.2 inches or 80.8 x 53.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 26.5 x 17.7 inches or 67.3 x 44.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Pentax K-3 II are 30.1 x 20 inches or 76.4 x 50.8 cm for good quality, 24.1 x 16 inches or 61.1 x 40.6 cm for very good quality, and 20.1 x 13.3 inches or 50.9 x 33.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The A99 II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

Unlike the A99 II, the K-3 II has the capacity to capture high quality composite images by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Pentax K-3 II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-25600.

In terms of underlying technology, the K-3 II is build around a CMOS sensor, while the A99 II uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

K-3 II versus A99 II MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the A99 II offers substantially better image quality than the K-3 II (overall score 12 points higher). The advantage is based on 1.8 bits higher color depth, 0.2 EV of lower dynamic range, and 1.1 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Pentax K-3 II APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.613.6110680
2.
 
Sony A99 II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p25.413.4231792
3.
 
Canon 80D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.2113579
4.
 
Nikon D7200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.514.6133387
5.
 
Panasonic GX8 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.512.680675
6.
 
Pentax K-3 III APS-C 25.6 6192 41284K/30p24.213.7208385
7.
 
Pentax KP APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.913.2169981
8.
 
Pentax K-70 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i23.813.1163980
9.
 
Pentax K-S2 APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.612.9151479
10.
 
Pentax K-3 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.713.4121680
11.
 
Pentax K-5 II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.814.1123582
12.
 
Pentax K-5 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.714.1116282
13.
 
Sony A7R IIIA Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
14.
 
Sony A7R III Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
15.
 
Sony A7R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.013.9343498
16.
 
Sony A99 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p25.014.0155589
17.
 
Sony A900 Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none23.712.3143179
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the A99 II provides a better video resolution than the K-3 II. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Pentax is limited to 1080/60i.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A99 II has an electronic viewfinder (2400k dots), while the K-3 II has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the A99 II has a higher magnification than the one of the K-3 II (0.78x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Pentax K-3 II and Sony A99 II in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Pentax K-3 IIoptical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s n Y
2.
 
Sony A99 II2400 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
3.
 
Canon 80Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D7200optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
5.
 
Panasonic GX82360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
6.
 
Pentax K-3 IIIoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
7.
 
Pentax KPoptical n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/6000s 7.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Pentax K-70optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Pentax K-S2optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/6000s 5.4/s Y Y
10.
 
Pentax K-3optical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s Y Y
11.
 
Pentax K-5 IIoptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Pentax K-5optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Sony A7R IIIA3686 n3.0 / 2340 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
14.
 
Sony A7R III3686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
15.
 
Sony A7R II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
16.
 
Sony A992359 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 6.0/s n Y
17.
 
Sony A900optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The A99 II has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the K-3 II does not have a selfie-screen.

The Pentax K-3 II has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The K-3 II writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A99 II uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Pentax K-3 II and Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Pentax K-3 IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
2.
 
Sony A99 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YYY
3.
 
Canon 80DYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
4.
 
Nikon D7200Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
5.
 
Panasonic GX8Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Pentax K-3 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
7.
 
Pentax KPYstereo / monoY--2.0Y--
8.
 
Pentax K-70Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
9.
 
Pentax K-S2Ymono / monoY-micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Pentax K-3Ymono / monoYYmini3.0---
11.
 
Pentax K-5 IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Pentax K-5Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
13.
 
Sony A7R IIIAYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
14.
 
Sony A7R IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
15.
 
Sony A7R IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony A99Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0---
17.
 
Sony A900Y- / ---mini2.0---
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It is notable that the A99 II offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the K-3 II does not provide wifi capability.

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the K-3 II has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the K-3 II and the A99 II have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The K-3 II was replaced by the Pentax K-3 III, while the A99 II does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the K-3 II and A99 II can be found, respectively, in the Pentax K-3 II Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A99 II Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Pentax K-3 II or the Sony A99 II – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Reasons to prefer the Pentax K-3 II:

  • High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (131x100mm vs 143x104mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (720 versus 490) on a single battery charge.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (66 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in April 2015).

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Advantages of the Sony Alpha ALT-A99 II:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (42.2 vs 24.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 32%.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (12 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (1.8 bits more color depth).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.1 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60i).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.63x).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 1037k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 vs 8.3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 4 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the A99 II is the clear winner of the contest (16 : 10 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

K-3 II 10:16 A99 II

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Pentax K-3 II and the Sony A99 II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the K-3 II or the A99 II. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax K-3 II4.5/5......5/55/5 Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A99 II....4.5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 3,199ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 80D4/5+ +4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D72004/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic GX85/5+..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Jul 2015 1,199ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax K-3 III4/5..3/5..4.5/5.. Mar 2021 1,999 amazon.com
7.
 
Pentax KP4/5..3/582/1005/54.5/5 Jan 2017 1,099ebay.com
8.
 
Pentax K-704.5/5..4/579/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2016 649ebay.com
9.
 
Pentax K-S24.5/5......5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
10.
 
Pentax K-34/5....83/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
11.
 
Pentax K-5 II5/5....80/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
12.
 
Pentax K-54/5....83/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,099ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7R IIIA..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Apr 2021 3,199 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7R III..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2017 3,199ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7R II5/5+ +5/590/1005/55/5 Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A995/5....84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A900..+ +..+ +4.5/55/5 Sep 2008 2,999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A99 II

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Pentax K-3 II Sony A99 II
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Pentax K mount lenses Sony A mount lenses
    Launch Date April 2015 September 2016
    Launch Price USD 1,099 USD 3,199
    Sensor Specs Pentax K-3 II Sony A99 II
    Sensor Technology CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.5 x 15.6 mm 35.9 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 366.6 mm2 861.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.2 mm 43.2 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 24.1 Megapixels 42.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6016 x 4000 pixels 7952 x 5304 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.90 μm 4.52 μm
    Pixel Density 6.56 MP/cm2 4.90 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 51,200 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 50 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor PRIME III BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 80 92
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.6 25.4
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.6 13.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1106 2317
    Screen Specs Pentax K-3 II Sony A99 II
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x 0.78x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2400k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.2inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1037k dots 1229k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fully flexible screen
    Shooting Specs Pentax K-3 II Sony A99 II
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 8.3 shutter flaps/s 12 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations300 000 actuations
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Dual card slots
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Pentax K-3 II Sony A99 II
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 3.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Geotagging GPS built-in no internal GPS
    Body Specs Pentax K-3 II Sony A99 II
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Pentax D-LI90 Sony NP-FM500H
    Battery Life (CIPA)720 shots per charge490 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77 mm
    (5.2 x 3.9 x 3.0 in)
    143 x 104 x 76 mm
    (5.6 x 4.1 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 800 g (28.2 oz) 849 g (29.9 oz)
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    Check A99 II offers at
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