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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released February 2013
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-F3
  • Successor is Sony a5000
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Pentax K-3 II and Sony NEX-3N, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was introduced 2 years after the NEX-3N which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the K-3 II grades vs the NEX-3N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Sony NEX-3N

 K-3 II NEX-3N 
ReleasedApril 2015February 2013More modern by 27 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Pentax K-3 II

 NEX-3N K-3 II 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Sony NEX-3N

 K-3 II NEX-3N 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 II offers exterior measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-3 II and Sony NEX-3N in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the K-3 II vs the NEX-3N.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 II and NEX-3N is 59 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 II and NEX-3N.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax K-3 II to offer you greater detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger K-3 II provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

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

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
66
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography info
Sony NEX-3N Street photography info
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
great high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
77
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography highlights
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
low battery life (720 CIPA)
54
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery pack (480 shots)
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography information
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography information
56
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
low battery life (720 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
great battery pack (480 per charge)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography details
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
low battery life (720 CIPA)
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (480 shots)
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
28
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Sony NEX-3N
 Pentax K-3 IISony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-3 II Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-04-23 2013-02-25
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime III Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51200 16000
Lowest native ISO 100 200
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 detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 27 25
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Number of lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.3 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
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) -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 800g (1.76 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 74
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 12.5
DXO Low light score 1106 1067
Other
Battery life 720 pictures 480 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NPFW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Dual Single
Price at release $829 $399