• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

Buy From

Differences

Sony A77 II advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More AF points
    79 vs 33
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.5 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Sony A77 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 3.92 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 480 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    6 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 24.3 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    77 vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality, especially lower ISOs; Improved high ISO performance when using RAW; Very good dynamic range; High-resolution images; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 12fps burst mode with C-AF; Good value for its class.

  • Lackluster continuous AF performance; Strong NR processing in high ISO JPEGs; Sluggish buffer clearing; Short battery life compared to most DSLRs; Joystick control easy to press accidentally.

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77 II
Canon 70D
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Pentax K-1 II
Canon 70D
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A77 II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-1 II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony A77 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Pentax K-1

Sony A77 II
Pentax K-1
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-1
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $1800
  • 35mm

Compared to Nikon D850

Sony A77 II
Nikon D850
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
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