Pentax K-1 II vs Sony RX100 VA

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-1 II vs Sony RX100 VA

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1 II.
Compare Pentax K-1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 II conclusion.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 VA Review.

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Sony RX100 VA

Larger sensor
35mm vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~1.40 vs 2.0 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

670 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
36.4 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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 Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony RX100 VA advantages over Pentax K-1 II

Less expensive
$998* vs $1997
Save money for lenses or accessories
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
41 mm vs 85 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
299g vs 1010g
Lighter weight
Faster JPEG shooting
23.9 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
233 vs 77 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
23.9 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
103 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 II User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-1 II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-105mm Lens

All K-1 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX100 VA

Sony RX100 VA

All RX100 VA Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.
Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.
Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

We haven’t reviewed the Sony RX100 VA.
Read our Sony RX100 VA Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

$1747
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$1800
35mm

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-1

Sony RX100 VA

Pentax K-1

$998
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$1800
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2499
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony RX100 VA

Canon 5D Mark IV

$998
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Pentax K-1 II

Sony RX100 V

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
1 inch

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 VA

Sony RX100 V

$998
1 inch

Bigger JPEG buffer
Bigger RAW buffer

$998
1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony RX100 V

Compared to Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Sony RX100 VA

Nikon D850

$998
1 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

$2664
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Nikon D850

Compared to Sony ZV-1

Pentax K-1 II

Sony ZV-1

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$800
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony ZV-1

Sony RX100 VA

Sony ZV-1

$998
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Internal flash

$800
1 inch

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony ZV-1

Compare Other Cameras?