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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
63
Features
48
Overall
57

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-3
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Introduced September 2014
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Lens-style by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-3 II (24MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is very well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was unveiled 8 months later than the QX1 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the K-3 II grades vs the QX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Sony QX1

 K-3 II QX1 
IntroducedApril 2015September 2014More recent by 8 months
Display size3.2""Larger display (+3.2")
Display resolution1037k0kClearer display (+1037k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Pentax K-3 II

 QX1 K-3 II 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Sony QX1

 K-3 II QX1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 II provides physical measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sony QX1 has measurements of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") along with a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the K-3 II against the QX1.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 II and QX1 is 59 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements just by checking specifications. The visual here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 II and QX1.

To sum up, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax K-3 II to resolve more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent K-3 II is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography factors
Sony QX1 Portrait photography factors
79
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
66
focusing manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
no manual control
no external flash support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography information
Sony QX1 Street photography information
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
69
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
has focus via touch
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (216g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
Sports photography with Sony QX1
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery life (720 per charge)
56
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (440 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography information
Sony QX1 Travel photography information
56
environment proofing
good MP (24 megapixels)
low battery life (720 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
71
good battery pack (440 CIPA)
has focus via touch
good resolution (20MP)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (216g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography info
Sony QX1 Landscape photography info
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
low battery life (720 shots)
64
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (440 per charge)
screen is small ( inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Vlogging details
Sony QX1 Vlogging details
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
32
has touchscreen
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
no microphone socket
more heavy than competition (216g)
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Sony QX1
 Pentax K-3 IISony Alpha QX1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-3 II Sony Alpha QX1
Type Advanced DSLR Lens-style
Introduced 2015-04-23 2014-09-03
Physical type Mid-size SLR Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime III Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 51200 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
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
Total lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.6
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch -
Display resolution 1,037k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.3 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
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 (available with dedicated external flash) Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 grams (1.76 pounds) 216 grams (0.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 1106 not tested
Other
Battery life 720 pictures 440 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots Dual One
Pricing at release $829 $500