Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3
55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77


91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
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Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 204800
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Released February 2016
- Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Released August 2011
- Superseded the Sony NEX-3
- Updated by Sony NEX-F3

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
On this page, we are evaluating the Pentax K-1 and Sony NEX-C3, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

The K-1 was revealed 4 years after the NEX-C3 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the K-1 grades vs the NEX-C3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-1 and Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax K-1 Gallery and Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony NEX-C3
K-1 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2016 | ![]() | August 2011 | Newer by 55 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Display dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper display (+117k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Pentax K-1
NEX-C3 | K-1 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony NEX-C3
K-1 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-1 comes with physical dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Sony NEX-C3 has specifications of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K-1 and Sony NEX-C3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the K-1 vs the NEX-C3.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and NEX-C3 is 55 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading through specs. The pic underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-1 and NEX-C3.
All in all, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The K-1 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh simpler and the Pentax K-1 will give greater detail because of its extra 20 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics more aggressively. The younger K-1 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Pentax K-1 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-1 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2016-02-17 | 2011-08-22 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 861.6mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 204800 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 33 | 25 |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 151 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,037k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.4 frames per sec | 6.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | 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 |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Built-in | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 1010g (2.23 pounds) | 225g (0.50 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 96 | 73 |
DXO Color Depth score | 25.4 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 14.6 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | 3280 | 1083 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 760 images | 400 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 2 | One |
Launch cost | $1,499 | $343 |