Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A300
59 Imaging
65 Features
84 Overall
72
64 Imaging
48 Features
45 Overall
46
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
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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).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe 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.
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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
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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 |