Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-x
88 Imaging
41 Features
51 Overall
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69 Imaging
52 Features
47 Overall
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Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
- Introduced February 2016
- Succeeded the Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
- Released December 2009

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-x Overview
Here, we will be matching up the Olympus SH-3 versus Pentax K-x, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the SH-3 (16MP) and K-x (12MP) and the SH-3 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

The SH-3 was unveiled 6 years after the K-x which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SH-3 matches up against the K-x in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-x Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus SH-3 and Pentax K-x. The full galleries are available at Olympus SH-3 Gallery and Pentax K-x Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Pentax K-x
SH-3 | K-x | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2016 | ![]() | December 2009 | More modern by 75 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Olympus SH-3
K-x | SH-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focus |
Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Pentax K-x
SH-3 | K-x | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen |
Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SH-3 has got physical measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Pentax K-x has dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).
Look at the Olympus SH-3 versus Pentax K-x in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SH-3 compared to the K-x.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SH-3 and K-x is 88 and 69 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes only by researching specs. The picture here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-3 and K-x.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SH-3 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Olympus SH-3 will result in more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The newer SH-3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-x Specifications
Olympus Stylus SH-3 | Pentax K-x | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus Stylus SH-3 | Pentax K-x |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2016-02-08 | 2009-12-23 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic VII | Prime |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 2848 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 151 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 96% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.57x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 11.5fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) | 16.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) |
Max video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 271 gr (0.60 lb) | 580 gr (1.28 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") | 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 72 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.5 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 811 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 380 photos | 1900 photos |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LI-92B | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | SD/SDHC card |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $579 | $600 |