Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A300
59 Imaging
66 Features
84 Overall
73


64 Imaging
49 Features
45 Overall
47
Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A300 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Announced April 2015
- Replaced the Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
- Released January 2008
- Newer Model is Sony A330

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A300 Overview
Here, we are looking at the Pentax K-3 II and Sony A300, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and A300 (10MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The K-3 II was brought out 7 years after the A300 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the K-3 II matches up versus the A300 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A300 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-3 II & Sony Alpha DSLR-A300. The entire galleries are available at Pentax K-3 II Gallery & Sony A300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Sony A300
K-3 II | A300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2015 | ![]() | January 2008 | More modern by 88 months |
Display size | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+807k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax K-3 II
A300 | K-3 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Sony A300
K-3 II | A300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-3 II features outside dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony A300 has proportions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Compare the Pentax K-3 II and Sony A300 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the K-3 II compared to the A300.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 II and A300 is 59 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out a spec sheet. The pic underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 II and A300.
As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax K-3 II to produce more detail having its extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more recent K-3 II is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A300 Specifications
Pentax K-3 II | Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-3 II | Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2015-04-23 | 2008-01-30 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime III | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | - |
Full resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 3872 x 2592 |
Max native ISO | 51200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
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 | 27 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 151 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3.2 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 1,037 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 8.3fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
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 (available with dedicated external flash) | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/180 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800 gr (1.76 lb) | 632 gr (1.39 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 80 | 64 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.6 | 22.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.6 | 11.4 |
DXO Low light score | 1106 | 538 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 720 pictures | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI90 | - |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | Compact Flash |
Storage slots | 2 | One |
Cost at launch | $829 | $0 |