Sony vs Pentax K1-II IBIS

timn421 · 03-27-2019, 11:22 AM

Hi All,

I'm looking at either getting a Sony a7riii or K1-II. The most important feature for me is IBIS, since I plan on shooting an architecture project, with no tripod in a lot of cases, and low light.. From what I've read, the sony (a7riii) IBIS is ok, maybe for 1-2 stops, but the IBIS may not be as good as Pentax?
I know pentax has HDPS as well, which might be nice to use also.

I'm just trying to get an idea/opinion of which system might be better for me in this regard.

stevebrot · 03-27-2019, 01:32 PM

Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

Sony claims 5.5 stops when tested to CIPA standards with the Zeiss EF 50mm f/1.4 mounted.

Pentax claims 5 stops for the K-1ii when tested to CIPA standards with the D FA 28-105/3.5-5.6 set to 105mm

Given the challenge of the longer focal length on the Pentax, I would consider them equivalent. Which works for you in the field is another matter. The two cameras are quite different in the hand.

Steve

**bobbotron** · 03-27-2019, 02:10 PM

If it's a serious project, definitely consider whether you can really do it without a tripod, or at least a mono pod. I know you didn't ask for this advice, but IBIS will always only get you so far.

swanlefitte · 03-27-2019, 02:56 PM

I would also look at highest acceptable iso for you with each camera of course. There might be a stop difference.

Paul the Sunman · 03-27-2019, 05:42 PM

Why IBIS and not in-lens stabilisation? I presume you will mostly be shooting wide-angle. The Tamron 15-30 f/2.8 has inbuilt VC and is available for Canon, Nikon and Sony A. Not an option?

By the way, I love the K1. It would be a great choice.

**clackers** · 03-27-2019, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

Why IBIS and not in-lens stabilisation? I presume you will mostly be shooting wide-angle. The Tamron 15-30 f/2.8 has inbuilt VC and is available for Canon, Nikon and Sony A. Not an option?

The Sony A7riii doesn't use Sony A mount, Paul, it uses Sony E mount.

Paul the Sunman · 03-27-2019, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by clackers

The Sony A7riii doesn't use Sony A mount, Paul, it uses Sony E mount.

You missed my point. I am saying why does the OP need a system with IBIS?

**clackers** · 03-27-2019, 07:22 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

You missed my point. I am saying why does the OP need a system with IBIS?

If they go with the Pentax or the Sony, they'll get five way IS, if they go with that Tamron and a Canon or Nikon, it'll be three way. Just how it is!

Personally, I think they'd be nuts to do any commercial work of that nature without a tripod - no IS needed at all.

leekil · 03-27-2019, 09:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clackers

The Sony A7riii doesn't use Sony A mount, Paul, it uses Sony E mount.

Well, that's a bit confusing.

**clackers** · 03-27-2019, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by leekil

Well, that's a bit confusing.

Sure. When they came out with a mirrorless platform, they named it Alpha, just like their pellicle DSLR line.

biz-engineer · 03-27-2019, 11:26 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by timn421

I'm just trying to get an idea/opinion of which system might be better for me in this regard.

Sensor stabilization is done by having the sensor move to adapt to camera motion, does not correct lens motion effectively (that's why Panasonic have been working on combining both sensor stabilization and lens stabilization). The gap between camera motion and lens motion gets smaller when the camera body and lens are balanced (wildlife shooter know this as they adjust camera/lens position in gimbals so that the system doesn't move when we stop applying any force). Typically, the Pentax K1 and WA lens system is more balanced than the equivalent Sony system, because the small size / weight convenience of the Sony bodies turn out to be a disadvantage for stable shooting without tripod.

I shoot with the K1 + battery grip and the D-FA15-30 with SR enabled in low ligth, I get sharp images with 1 sec. shutter speed. I use the K1 II hand held pixel shift and it gets me one or two additional ISO stop improvement, say shooting at ISO 400 gets me images as good as if they were shot at ISO100.

There are now a lot of museums that do not allow use of a tripod, the most popular idea from mainly photographers (canon, nikon) is that tripod is what gets pro images, so they forbid tripod and to get tripod allowance one must file a pro photographer registration, but Pentax flies under their radar: I go around the "tripod not allowed" interdiction by using K1 Mk II, with battery grip loaded with 6xEneloop Pro, and D-FA15-30, HHPS (most people have no idea how good the K1 Mk II is in low light).

Macario · 03-28-2019, 12:20 AM

Originally posted by clackers

If they go with the Pentax or the Sony, they'll get five way IS, if they go with that Tamron and a Canon or Nikon, it'll be three way. Just how it is!

Personally, I think they'd be nuts to do any commercial work of that nature without a tripod - no IS needed at all.

wel , he wrote no tripod in lot of cases, so he is planning to use one, but probably can't (isn't allowed?) in lot of cases.

**clackers** · 03-28-2019, 03:05 AM

Originally posted by Macario

wel , he wrote no tripod in lot of cases, so he is planning to use one, but probably can't (isn't allowed?) in lot of cases.

Yes, you're right, Macario.

**bobbotron** · 03-28-2019, 05:43 AM

Originally posted by Macario

wel , he wrote no tripod in lot of cases, so he is planning to use one, but probably can't (isn't allowed?) in lot of cases.

I feel like if you're a hired photographer you often can get the rules bent for you for some shots.

Regardless this is true, don't know the specifics.

timn421 · 03-28-2019, 06:50 AM

My needs for IBIS is mostly just for visiting museums, because they don't allow tripods. I did want to try and get the best image possible and was wondering if the stabilization between pentax and sony were pretty equal, all things considered. The pixel shift and being able to shoot at a higher iso may be something for me to consider.

03-27-2019, 11:22 AM	#1
timn421 New Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Posts: 2	Sony vs Pentax K1-II IBIS Hi All, I'm looking at either getting a Sony a7riii or K1-II. The most important feature for me is IBIS, since I plan on shooting an architecture project, with no tripod in a lot of cases, and low light.. From what I've read, the sony (a7riii) IBIS is ok, maybe for 1-2 stops, but the IBIS may not be as good as Pentax? I know pentax has HDPS as well, which might be nice to use also. I'm just trying to get an idea/opinion of which system might be better for me in this regard.

03-27-2019, 01:32 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Welcome to the Pentax Forums! Sony claims 5.5 stops when tested to CIPA standards with the Zeiss EF 50mm f/1.4 mounted. Pentax claims 5 stops for the K-1ii when tested to CIPA standards with the D FA 28-105/3.5-5.6 set to 105mm Given the challenge of the longer focal length on the Pentax, I would consider them equivalent. Which works for you in the field is another matter. The two cameras are quite different in the hand. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 03-27-2019 at 08:36 PM.

03-27-2019, 11:26 PM - 2 Likes	#11
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	Originally posted by timn421 I'm just trying to get an idea/opinion of which system might be better for me in this regard. Sensor stabilization is done by having the sensor move to adapt to camera motion, does not correct lens motion effectively (that's why Panasonic have been working on combining both sensor stabilization and lens stabilization). The gap between camera motion and lens motion gets smaller when the camera body and lens are balanced (wildlife shooter know this as they adjust camera/lens position in gimbals so that the system doesn't move when we stop applying any force). Typically, the Pentax K1 and WA lens system is more balanced than the equivalent Sony system, because the small size / weight convenience of the Sony bodies turn out to be a disadvantage for stable shooting without tripod. I shoot with the K1 + battery grip and the D-FA15-30 with SR enabled in low ligth, I get sharp images with 1 sec. shutter speed. I use the K1 II hand held pixel shift and it gets me one or two additional ISO stop improvement, say shooting at ISO 400 gets me images as good as if they were shot at ISO100. There are now a lot of museums that do not allow use of a tripod, the most popular idea from mainly photographers (canon, nikon) is that tripod is what gets pro images, so they forbid tripod and to get tripod allowance one must file a pro photographer registration, but Pentax flies under their radar: I go around the "tripod not allowed" interdiction by using K1 Mk II, with battery grip loaded with 6xEneloop Pro, and D-FA15-30, HHPS (most people have no idea how good the K1 Mk II is in low light). Last edited by biz-engineer; 03-27-2019 at 11:34 PM.

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03-27-2019, 02:10 PM	#3
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	If it's a serious project, definitely consider whether you can really do it without a tripod, or at least a mono pod. I know you didn't ask for this advice, but IBIS will always only get you so far.

03-27-2019, 02:56 PM	#4
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	I would also look at highest acceptable iso for you with each camera of course. There might be a stop difference.

03-27-2019, 05:42 PM	#5
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Why IBIS and not in-lens stabilisation? I presume you will mostly be shooting wide-angle. The Tamron 15-30 f/2.8 has inbuilt VC and is available for Canon, Nikon and Sony A. Not an option? By the way, I love the K1. It would be a great choice.

03-27-2019, 05:57 PM	#6
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman Why IBIS and not in-lens stabilisation? I presume you will mostly be shooting wide-angle. The Tamron 15-30 f/2.8 has inbuilt VC and is available for Canon, Nikon and Sony A. Not an option? The Sony A7riii doesn't use Sony A mount, Paul, it uses Sony E mount.

03-27-2019, 07:12 PM	#7
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Originally posted by clackers The Sony A7riii doesn't use Sony A mount, Paul, it uses Sony E mount. You missed my point. I am saying why does the OP need a system with IBIS?

03-27-2019, 07:22 PM - 1 Like	#8
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman You missed my point. I am saying why does the OP need a system with IBIS? If they go with the Pentax or the Sony, they'll get five way IS, if they go with that Tamron and a Canon or Nikon, it'll be three way. Just how it is! Personally, I think they'd be nuts to do any commercial work of that nature without a tripod - no IS needed at all.

03-27-2019, 09:03 PM - 1 Like	#9
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	Originally posted by clackers The Sony A7riii doesn't use Sony A mount, Paul, it uses Sony E mount. Well, that's a bit confusing.

03-27-2019, 09:27 PM	#10
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by leekil Well, that's a bit confusing. Sure. When they came out with a mirrorless platform, they named it Alpha, just like their pellicle DSLR line.

03-28-2019, 12:20 AM	#12
Macario Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,393	Originally posted by clackers If they go with the Pentax or the Sony, they'll get five way IS, if they go with that Tamron and a Canon or Nikon, it'll be three way. Just how it is! Personally, I think they'd be nuts to do any commercial work of that nature without a tripod - no IS needed at all. wel , he wrote no tripod in lot of cases, so he is planning to use one, but probably can't (isn't allowed?) in lot of cases.

03-28-2019, 03:05 AM	#13
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Macario wel , he wrote no tripod in lot of cases, so he is planning to use one, but probably can't (isn't allowed?) in lot of cases. Yes, you're right, Macario.

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03-28-2019, 05:43 AM	#14
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	Originally posted by Macario wel , he wrote no tripod in lot of cases, so he is planning to use one, but probably can't (isn't allowed?) in lot of cases. I feel like if you're a hired photographer you often can get the rules bent for you for some shots. Regardless this is true, don't know the specifics.

03-28-2019, 06:50 AM	#15
timn421 New Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Posts: 2 Original Poster	My needs for IBIS is mostly just for visiting museums, because they don't allow tripods. I did want to try and get the best image possible and was wondering if the stabilization between pentax and sony were pretty equal, all things considered. The pixel shift and being able to shoot at a higher iso may be something for me to consider.