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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7C

The Pentax K-3 and the Sony Alpha A7C are two enthusiast cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in October 2013 and September 2020. The K-3 is a DSLR, while the A7C is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (K-3) and a full frame (A7C) sensor. The Pentax has a resolution of 24.1 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 24 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
versus
Sony A7C
Pentax K-3   Sony A7C
Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
Pentax K mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
24.1 MP – APS-C sensor 24 MP – Full Frame sensor
1080/60i Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 100-51,200 ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 204,800)
Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.2" LCD – 1037k dots 3.0" LCD – 922k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel touchscreen
8.3 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
560 shots per battery charge740 shots per battery charge
131 x 100 x 77 mm, 800 g 124 x 71 x 60 mm, 509 g
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Check K-3 offers at
ebay.com
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Check A7C price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Pentax K-3 and the Sony Alpha A7C? 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

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Pentax K-3 and the Sony A7C. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, silver).

Size Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7C
Compare K-3 versus A7C top
Comparison K-3 or A7C rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A7C is considerably smaller (33 percent) than the Pentax K-3. Moreover, the A7C is substantially lighter (36 percent) than the K-3. 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 gets 560 shots out of its Pentax D-LI90 battery, while the A7C can take 740 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FZ100 power pack. The power pack in the A7C can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax K-3 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 560 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A7C 124 mm 71 mm 60 mm 509 g 740 Y Sep 2020 1,799 amazon.com
3.
 
Nikon D7100 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 950 Y Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Pentax K-3 II 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 720 Y Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
5.
 
Pentax K-5 131 mm 97 mm 73 mm 760 g 740 Y Sep 2010 1,099ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax K-5 II 131 mm 97 mm 73 mm 760 g 740 Y Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
7.
 
Pentax K-50 130 mm 97 mm 71 mm 650 g 410 Y Jun 2013 599ebay.com
8.
 
Pentax K-70 126 mm 93 mm 74 mm 688 g 410 Y Jun 2016 649ebay.com
9.
 
Pentax KP 132 mm 101 mm 76 mm 703 g 390 Y Jan 2017 1,099ebay.com
10.
 
Pentax K-S1 121 mm 93 mm 70 mm 558 g 410 n Aug 2014 749ebay.com
11.
 
Pentax K-S2 123 mm 91 mm 73 mm 678 g 410 Y Feb 2015 749ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A7 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 474 g 340 Y Oct 2013 1,699ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7 II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 599 g 350 Y Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A7 III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 610 Y Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony A7C II 124 mm 71 mm 63 mm 514 g 540 Y Aug 2023 2,199 amazon.com
16.
 
Sony A77 143 mm 104 mm 81 mm 732 g 470 Y Aug 2011 1,399ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A850 156 mm 117 mm 82 mm 895 g 880 Y Aug 2009 1,999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The K-3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 28 percent) than the A7C, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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 size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Pentax K-3 features an APS-C sensor and the Sony A7C a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A7C is 131 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 and Sony A7C sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Pentax K-3 offers a higher resolution of 24.1 megapixels, compared with 24 MP of the Sony A7C. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.90μm versus 5.94μm for the A7C). Moreover, it should be noted that the A7C is much more recent (by 6 years and 11 months) than the K-3, and its sensor will 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 the K-3 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The A7C has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Pentax K-3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A7C are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-204800.

In terms of underlying technology, the K-3 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the A7C 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 versus A7C MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the A7C offers substantially better image quality than the K-3 (overall score 15 points higher). The advantage is based on 1.3 bits higher color depth, 1.3 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.5 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Pentax K-3 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.713.4121680
2.
 
Sony A7C Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7340795
3.
 
Nikon D7100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.213.7125683
4.
 
Pentax K-3 II APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.613.6110680
5.
 
Pentax K-5 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.714.1116282
6.
 
Pentax K-5 II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.814.1123582
7.
 
Pentax K-50 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.713.0112079
8.
 
Pentax K-70 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i23.813.1163980
9.
 
Pentax KP APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.913.2169981
10.
 
Pentax K-S1 APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.513.0106178
11.
 
Pentax K-S2 APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.612.9151479
12.
 
Sony A7 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.814.2224890
13.
 
Sony A7 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.913.6244990
14.
 
Sony A7 III Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7373096
15.
 
Sony A7C II Full Frame 32.7 7008 46724K/60p25.414.7323796
16.
 
Sony A77 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.280178
17.
 
Sony A850 Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none23.812.2141579
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

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 A7C provides a better video resolution than the K-3. 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 variety of features. For example, the A7C has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the K-3 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 K-3 has a higher magnification than the one of the A7C (0.63x vs 0.59x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Pentax K-3 and Sony A7C along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
  empty 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-3optical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s Y Y
2.
 
Sony A7C2360 n3.0 / 922 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n Y
3.
 
Nikon D7100optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Pentax K-3 IIoptical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s n Y
5.
 
Pentax K-5optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Pentax K-5 IIoptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Pentax K-50optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Pentax K-70optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Pentax KPoptical n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/6000s 7.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Pentax K-S1optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/6000s 5.4/s Y Y
11.
 
Pentax K-S2optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/6000s 5.4/s Y Y
12.
 
Sony A72400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
13.
 
Sony A7 II2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
14.
 
Sony A7 III2359 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
15.
 
Sony A7C II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n Y
16.
 
Sony A772359 Y3.0 / 921 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony A850optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The K-3 has one, while the A7C does not. While the built-in flash of the K-3 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The A7C 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 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the A7C is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Pentax K-3 and the Sony A7C both have 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 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A7C uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The K-3 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the A7C only has one slot. The A7C supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the K-3 can use UHS-I cards (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 and Sony Alpha A7C and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Pentax K-3Ymono / monoYYmini3.0---
2.
 
Sony A7CYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
3.
 
Nikon D7100Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0---
4.
 
Pentax K-3 IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
5.
 
Pentax K-5Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
6.
 
Pentax K-5 IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
7.
 
Pentax K-50Ymono / mono--micro2.0---
8.
 
Pentax K-70Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
9.
 
Pentax KPYstereo / monoY--2.0Y--
10.
 
Pentax K-S1Ystereo / mono--micro2.0---
11.
 
Pentax K-S2Ymono / monoY-micro2.0YY-
12.
 
Sony A7Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
13.
 
Sony A7 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
14.
 
Sony A7 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
15.
 
Sony A7C IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
16.
 
Sony A77Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
17.
 
Sony A850Y- / ---mini2.0---

It is notable that the A7C offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the K-3 does not provide wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Pentax K-3 (unlike the A7C) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The A7C is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the K-3 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the K-3 was succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II. Further information on the features and operation of the K-3 and A7C can be found, respectively, in the Pentax K-3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A7C Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Pentax K-3 and the Sony A7C? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Arguments in favor of the Pentax K-3:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.63x vs 0.59x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 922k dots).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (28 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in October 2013).

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Advantages of the Sony Alpha A7C:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (15 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (1.3 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1.3 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.5 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.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 8.3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (124x71mm vs 131x100mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 291g or 36 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (740 versus 560) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
  • 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.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
  • More modern: Reflects 6 years and 11 months of technical progress since the K-3 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A7C is the clear winner of the contest (23 : 12 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

K-3 12:23 A7C

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Pentax K-3 and the Sony A7C place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings 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 incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the K-3 or the A7C perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. 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
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax K-34/5....83/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A7C3.5/5..3.5/586/1004/54/5 Sep 2020 1,799 amazon.com
3.
 
Nikon D71005/5+ +..85/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Pentax K-3 II4.5/5......5/55/5 Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
5.
 
Pentax K-54/5....83/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,099ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax K-5 II5/5....80/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
7.
 
Pentax K-505/5......5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 599ebay.com
8.
 
Pentax K-704.5/5..4/579/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2016 649ebay.com
9.
 
Pentax KP4/5..3/582/1005/54.5/5 Jan 2017 1,099ebay.com
10.
 
Pentax K-S14/5......4.5/54/5 Aug 2014 749ebay.com
11.
 
Pentax K-S24.5/5......5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A75/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,699ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7 II5/5+4/582/1004.5/55/5 Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A7 III..+ +4.5/589/1005/55/5 Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony A7C II4/5..4/587/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2023 2,199 amazon.com
16.
 
Sony A775/591/100..81/100..5/5 Aug 2011 1,399ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A8503/5....75/100..4.5/5 Aug 2009 1,999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, 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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Check K-3 offers at
ebay.com
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Check A7C price at
amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7C

    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 Sony A7C
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Pentax K mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date October 2013 September 2020
    Launch Price USD 1,299 USD 1,799
    Sensor Specs Pentax K-3 Sony A7C
    Sensor Technology CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.5 x 15.6 mm 35.6 x 23.8 mm
    Sensor Area 366.6 mm2 847.28 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.2 mm 42.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 24.1 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6016 x 4000 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.90 μm 5.94 μm
    Pixel Density 6.56 MP/cm2 2.83 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 51,200 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 50 - 204,800 ISO
    Image Processor PRIME III BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 80 95
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.7 25.0
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.4 14.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1216 3407
    Screen Specs Pentax K-3 Sony A7C
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x 0.59x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.2inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1037k dots 922k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Pentax K-3 Sony A7C
    Focus System Phase-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 8.3 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations200 000 actuations
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/8000s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Pentax K-3 Sony A7C
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 3.0 USB 3.2
    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
    Body Specs Pentax K-3 Sony A7C
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Pentax D-LI90 Sony NP-FZ100
    Battery Life (CIPA)560 shots per charge740 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77 mm
    (5.2 x 3.9 x 3.0 in)
    124 x 71 x 60 mm
    (4.9 x 2.8 x 2.4 in)
    Camera Weight 800 g (28.2 oz) 509 g (18.0 oz)
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