Sony A7R III vs Pentax K-3 III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A7R III vs Pentax K-3 III

35mm 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7R III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R III.
Compare Sony A7R III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7R III conclusion.

APS-C 361.2mm²
25.7 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1,600,000

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 III.

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Differences

Sony A7R III advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.51 vs 3.76 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
More pixels
42.4 vs 25.7 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
82 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Sony A7R III

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
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

800 vs 650 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Newer
3 years vs 6 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
540k vs 360k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.78x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 9.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1600000 vs 102400 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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot 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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7R III User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A7R III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 lens

All A7R III Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 20-40mm F2.8-4 Lens
Kit with 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens

All K-3 III Deals

Review Excerpt

Fantastic image quality; Improved dynamic range over its predecessor; Very good high ISO performance; Much improved real-world AF performance; Class-leading burst rates, even with RAW; Improved 5-axis in-body image stabilization; Better 4K video quality; 1080/120fps video; Dual card slots; Significantly better battery life.
Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash; Buffer clearing still slow despite UHS-II support.
Read our Sony A7R III Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-3 III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-3 III First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R II

Sony A7R III

Sony A7R II

$2348
35mm

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$2898
35mm

In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A7R III vs Sony A7R II

Pentax K-3 III

Sony A7R II

$1847
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$2898
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A7R II

Compared to Pentax KP

Sony A7R III

Pentax KP

$2348
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A7R III vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 III

Pentax KP

$1847
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Sony A7R III

Sony A7R IV

$2348
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3287
35mm

Fast startup
More pixels

Compare Sony A7R III vs Sony A7R IV

Pentax K-3 III

Sony A7R IV

$1847
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3287
35mm

Larger sensor
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon 90D

Sony A7R III

Canon 90D

$2348
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1199
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7R III vs Canon 90D

Pentax K-3 III

Canon 90D

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1199
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon 90D

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7R III

Nikon Z7 II

$2348
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$2730
35mm

Top deck display
Newer

Compare Sony A7R III vs Nikon Z7 II

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon Z7 II

$1847
APS-C

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$2730
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon Z7 II

Compare Other Cameras?