Pentax
K-3 II
24MP APS-C DSLR with pixel shift resolution, GPS, and no AA filter for detail-focused work.
$1,099
Launch priceReleased Apr 2015
Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Nov 2024
Alpha 1 II is 9.6 years newer.
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Wins
K-3 II
Wins
Alpha 1 II
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 1 II has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 101)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,360,000)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 60 frames)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 24.4 MP)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 15 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareK-3 II
132 × 102 × 78 mm
700 g (1.54 lb / 24.69 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
K-3 II is 5mm narrower and 5mm thinner than Alpha 1 II but it is also 5mm taller.
K-3 II is 43 g lighter than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 78mm K-3 II · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
K-3 II
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
K-3 II
Pentax K
70+
native lenses available
Alpha 1 II
✓ 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-3 II
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.5, 101.5, 77.5
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 94 % — higher is better
Weight
700 g vs 743 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
AF low-light limit
-4 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
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
Resolution
50.1 MP vs 24.4 MP — higher is better
AA filter
Only Alpha 1 II supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
K-3 II
Pros
- ✓Pixel shift hi-res
- ✓No AA filter
- ✓GPS built-in
- ✓Weather sealed
Cons
- –Superseded by K-3 III
- –DSLR
- –Limited video
Alpha 1 II
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free burst
- ✓8K 30p video
- ✓Best Sony AF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Complex menus
- –Large files
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the K-3 II and Alpha 1 II at major authorized retailers.
Pentax K-3 II
Sony Alpha 1 II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, K-3 II or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for K-3 II — 50.1MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the K-3 II and Alpha 1 II?
K-3 II is 24.4 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the K-3 II and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
K-3 II has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the K-3 II or the Alpha 1 II?
K-3 II reaches 15 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the K-3 II and Alpha 1 II?
K-3 II weighs 700 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the K-3 II is 43 g lighter.
Do the K-3 II and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
K-3 II: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the K-3 II and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
K-3 II: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-3 II and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the K-3 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
K-3 II launched at $1,099 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The K-3 II is $5,400 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way K-3 II vs Alpha 1 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Pentax and Sony press materials.