Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7 Specifications

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7.
Compare Sony A7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 conclusion.

Detailed specifications
Pentax K-3
Sony Alpha ILCE-A7

Links
Prices:	Compare Prices	Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:
Successor:	Pentax K-3 II K-3 vs K-3 II	Sony A7 II A7 vs A7 II
General
Model Number:	K-3	A7
Alternate Model Number(s):		ILCE-7
Camera Format:	Pro SLR	Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured:	No	Yes
Retail Price:	$1149.95	$1999.99
Street Price:	$699.00	$748.00
Date Available:	2013-11-01	2013-12-07
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	43.7 oz (1,240 g) includes batteries, kit lens	27.1 oz (769 g) includes batteries, kit lens
Size:	5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1 in. (132 x 100 x 77 mm)	5.0 x 3.7 x 1.9 in. (127 x 94 x 48 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:		Sony
Effective Megapixels:	24.4	24.3
Sensor Format:	APS-C	35mm
Sensor size:	366.6mm² (23.50mm x 15.60mm)	855.62mm² (35.80mm x 23.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	3.91 microns	5.97 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	1.5x	1.0x
Aspect Ratio:	3:2	3:2
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Optional	Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	Yes	Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization:	Yes	No
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	Yes
DxO Sensor Score:	80	90
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	23.7	24.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	13.4	14.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	1,216	2,248
Image Capture
Image Resolution:	6016 x 4000 (24.1 MP, 3:2), 4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2), 3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2), 1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2)	6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2), 3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2), 3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2), 3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2), 3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2), 1968 x 1312 (2.6 MP, 3:2), 6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9), 3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9), 3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9), 3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9), 3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9), 1968 x 1112 (2.2 MP, Other), 12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other), 8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other), 2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other), 2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format:	JPEG (EXIF 2.30), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG	JPEG, RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second:	7.1	5.0
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	Yes
Movie Resolution:	1920x1080 (60i/50i/30p/25p/24p) 1280x720 (60p/50p/30p/25p/24p)	1920x1080 (60p(28Mbps)/60i(24/17Mbps)/24p(24/17Mbps)) 1440x1080 (30p(12Mbps)) 640x480 (30p(3Mbps))
Movie File Format:	MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record	AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Composite Video Out:	No	No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	n/a	n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder:	n/a	n/a
HD Video Out:	Yes	Yes
HD Video Connection:	HDMI	HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)	Sony E
Lens:	smc Pentax 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC DA WR	Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS SEL2870
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	27 - 203mm	28 - 70mm
Focal Length (actual):	18 - 135mm	28 - 70mm
Zoom Ratio:	7.50x	2.50x
Aperture Range:	f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/40 (tele)	f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/36 (tele); 7 diaphragm blades (circular)
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	40 cm to Infinity 15.7 in to Infinity	40 cm to Infinity 15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:
Filter Thread:	62.0mm	55.0mm
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	No	Yes
Digital Zoom:		Yes
Digital Zoom Values:		Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	SAFOX 11 TTL phase-matching - 27 point (25 cross type focus points in the center)	Fast Hybrid AF (Phase-detect + Contrast-detect AF): 117 points (phase-detection AF), 25 points (contrast-detection AF); Multi Point (25 points) / Center-weighted / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Zone
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	Optical / LCD	EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, ~100% coverage, 0.95x mag., TBDmm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.5 diopter	EVF: 0.5-inch (1.30cm) 2.4M-dot XGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter
Focus Peaking:	Yes	Yes
EVF Resolution:	n/a	2,359,296 dots (786,432 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):	0.63x	0.71x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):	0.95x	0.71x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.2	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)	921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	No	Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No	No
Selfie Screen:	No	No
Max Playback Zoom:	16.0x	18.8x
Top Deck Display:	Yes	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):	51200	25600
Minimum ISO (native):	100	100
ISO Settings:	Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)	Auto (100-6400), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600; Low extention to ISO 50; up to 51200 in MFNR mode
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Multi Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D: Daylight Color, N:Daylight White, W:Cool White, L:Warm White), Tungsten Light, Flash, CTE, Manual (up to 3 settings), Color Temperature (up to 3 settings)	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation), Underwater
Shutter Speed Range:	1/8000 - 30 sec	1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	TTL open-aperture: Multi-segment with 86K-pixel RGB sensor, Center-weighted, Spot	1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	Yes	Yes
Shutter Priority:	Yes	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:	Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority; Digital filters (capture): Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Bold Monochrome; HDR: Auto, HDR1, HDR2, HDR3.	Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur; Sweep Panorama; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step),
Self Timer:	2 or 12 seconds	2 or 10; 3/5 shots after 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):	Yes
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	No
Flash Modes:	P-TTL, Red-eye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Rear Curtain Sync. High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync also available with PENTAX dedicated external flash.	Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	13.0 m / 42.7 ft.	n/a
Flash Range Description:	Depends on lens	n/a
Max Flash Sync:	1/180	1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation:	-2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps	+/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket	Multi Interface Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:	Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	SD / SDHC / SDXC	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:	UHS-I	UHS-I
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	Yes	No
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	Yes
Uncompressed Format:	14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG	RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:	MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record	AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo
Included Memory:	No memory included	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	Yes
NFC:	No	Yes
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	No
Microphone Jack:	Yes	Yes
Headphone Jack:	Yes	Yes
External Connections:	USB 3.0 Super Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant:	No	No
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control Type:	Optional Wired or IR	Optional via RM-VPR1, USB or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended):	Micro (Type D) HMDI, USB 3.0 Micro B, DC input, wired remote jack, 3.5mm external stereo mic jack, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack	Multi-Terminal Micro USB (with remote support), Type-D Micro HDMI, Microphone and Headphone jacks

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	0.79	0.67
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):	0.64	0.79
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):	Unlimited	Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):	0.69	0.79
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	No	No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	7.1	5.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	75	50
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):	7.1	5.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):	24	28
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):	7.1	5.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):	25	24
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):	0.14 seconds	0.23 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):	1.01 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):	0.226 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus):	0.097 seconds	0.132 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):	0.33 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.096 seconds	0.023 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):	Full AF lag, Wide-area mode, OVF = 0.157s Live View: Center mode AF lag = 1.014s Wide-area mode AF lag = 1.005s Prefocused = 0.226s	Full AF shutter lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.230s
Startup Time:	0.9 seconds	2.1 seconds
Play -> Record Time:	0.6 seconds	0.7 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:	2.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):		340 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):	560 shots	270 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary D-LI90	Proprietary
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium-ion rechargeable	NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary D-LI90 Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:	Yes	No
Internal Charging Supported:	No	Yes
Software
Included Software:	Software CD-ROM S-SW140	Image Data Converter 4, PlayMemories Home
OS Compatibility:		Windows Vista/7/8; Mac OS X 10.6 or later. (PlayMemories Home is Windows only.)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features:	Image stabilization system also acts as a selectable AA filter, 8.3 fps full-res burst mode, new 27-point AF system, new 86,000 pixel RGB metering system, Full HD video up to 60i with H.264 encoding, dual SD card slots, freeze-proof, dust-proof, weather-resistant magnesium alloy construction, USB 3.0 port.	World's smallest, lightest interchangeable lens full-frame camera (along with Sony A7R); Fast Hybrid AF; Compatible with Sony's E-mount lens system and new full-frame lenses.