Pentax K-1 II vs Sony NEX-3
55 Imaging
77 Features
82 Overall
79


89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Pentax K-1 II vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 819200
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF4 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Announced February 2018
- Previous Model is Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Released June 2010
- Newer Model is Sony NEX-C3

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Let's take a deeper look at the Pentax K-1 II versus Sony NEX-3, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-1 II (36MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) and the K-1 II (Full frame) and NEX-3 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

The K-1 II was launched 7 years after the NEX-3 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the K-1 II grades vs the NEX-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-1 Mark II and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax K-1 II Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Sony NEX-3
K-1 II | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2018 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 94 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer screen (+117k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Pentax K-1 II
NEX-3 | K-1 II |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-1 II and Sony NEX-3
K-1 II | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-1 II vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-1 II offers exterior dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K-1 II versus Sony NEX-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the K-1 II versus the NEX-3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 II and NEX-3 is 55 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specs. The pic here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the K-1 II and NEX-3.
All in all, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-1 II featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax K-1 II will offer you more detail utilizing its extra 22MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The younger K-1 II provides an edge in sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Pentax K-1 Mark II | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-1 Mark II | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2018-02-22 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | PRIME IV | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 819200 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 33 | 25 |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF4 | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 151 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Display size | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 1,037k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.4fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Built-in | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 1010g (2.23 lbs) | 297g (0.65 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 670 photographs | 330 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Dual | 1 |
Pricing at release | $1,737 | $0 |