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Pentax K-01 vs Sony G3

Portability
76
Imaging
56
Features
68
Overall
60
Pentax K-01 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Pentax K-01 vs Sony G3 Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Released May 2012
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony G3 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Pentax K-01 versus Sony G3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the K-01 (16MP) and G3 (10MP) and the K-01 (APS-C) and G3 (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizing.

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The K-01 was launched 3 years after the G3 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the K-01 scores vs the G3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Sony G3

 K-01 G3 
RevealedMay 2012January 2009More modern by 42 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Pentax K-01

 G3 K-01 
Display size3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Sony G3

 K-01 G3 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution921k921kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Pentax K-01 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-01 provides physical dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") and a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) whilst the Sony G3 has sizing of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-01 versus Sony G3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the K-01 and the G3.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-01 and G3 is 76 and 94 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by seeing specs. The image below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-01 and G3.

All in all, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-01 featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Pentax K-01 will produce greater detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The younger K-01 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Pentax K-01 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony G3 as a Portrait photography camera
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
26
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 Street photography info
Sony G3 Street photography info
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
more heavy than competition in class (561g)
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-01
Sports photography with Sony G3
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (540 CIPA)
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
has no phase detect AF
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000s)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-01
Travel photography with Sony G3
65
good battery (540 shots)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
more heavy than competition in class (561g)
display isn't selfie friendly
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography highlights
Sony G3 Landscape photography highlights
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (540 per charge)
36
focusing manually
big screen (3.5")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 Vlogging features
Sony G3 Vlogging features
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (561g)
27
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Pentax K-01 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Sony G3
 Pentax K-01Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-01 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-05-30 2009-01-08
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Number of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.5 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 1s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 561 gr (1.24 lbs) 185 gr (0.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 1135 not tested
Other
Battery life 540 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $899 $200