Pentax
K-1 Mark II
36MP full-frame DSLR with IBIS and rugged build.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Feb 2018
Sony
Alpha 9 III
Global shutter sports flagship with 120fps and zero rolling shutter for pro action.
$5,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2024
Alpha 9 III is 5.9 years newer.
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Wins
K-1 Mark II
Wins
Alpha 9 III
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AK-1 Mark II has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 0 fps)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 101)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 20 fps)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 3,690,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareK-1 Mark II
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 9 III
136 × 97 × 83 mm
703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
K-1 Mark II is 2mm wider, 1mm taller, and 5mm thicker than Alpha 9 III.
K-1 Mark II is 17 g heavier than Alpha 9 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm K-1 Mark II · 83mm Alpha 9 III
Sensor size, to scale
K-1 Mark II
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Alpha 9 III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
K-1 Mark II
Pentax K
70+
native lenses available
Alpha 9 III
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
K-1 Mark II
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
ISO min (native)
100 vs 250 — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 400 shots — higher is better
Resolution
36 MP vs 24.6 MP — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 94 % — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 9 III
AF low-light limit
-5 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
AF points / zones
759 vs 101 — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
K-1 Mark II
Pros
- ✓36MP FF DSLR
- ✓IBIS
- ✓Rugged
- ✓Affordable used
Cons
- –DSLR
- –Slow AF
- –Heavy
Alpha 9 III
Pros
- ✓Global shutter 120fps
- ✓Zero rolling shutter
- ✓Pro sports AF
- ✓Pre-capture buffer
Cons
- –24.6MP only
- –Premium price
- –Battery drain at max speed
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the K-1 Mark II and Alpha 9 III at major authorized retailers.
Pentax K-1 Mark II
Sony Alpha 9 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, K-1 Mark II or Alpha 9 III?
Alpha 9 III scores 10.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for K-1 Mark II — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the K-1 Mark II and Alpha 9 III?
K-1 Mark II is 36 MP and Alpha 9 III is 24.6 MP, so the K-1 Mark II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the K-1 Mark II and Alpha 9 III have in-body image stabilization?
K-1 Mark II has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 9 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the K-1 Mark II or the Alpha 9 III?
K-1 Mark II reaches 20 fps electronic. Alpha 9 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the K-1 Mark II and Alpha 9 III?
K-1 Mark II weighs 720 g and Alpha 9 III weighs 703 g, so the Alpha 9 III is 17 g lighter.
Do the K-1 Mark II and Alpha 9 III record 4K video?
K-1 Mark II: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 9 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the K-1 Mark II and Alpha 9 III weather sealed?
K-1 Mark II: Yes. Alpha 9 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-1 Mark II and 400 shots for the Alpha 9 III, giving the K-1 Mark II the edge.
How much does each cost?
K-1 Mark II launched at $1,999 and Alpha 9 III at $5,999. The K-1 Mark II is $4,000 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way K-1 Mark II vs Alpha 9 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.