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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300 Key Specs

Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Older Model is Pentax K-3
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Launched February 2013
  • Old Model is Sony HX200V
  • Replacement is Sony HX400V
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300 Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-3 II (24MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is fairly close but the K-3 II (APS-C) and HX300 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The K-3 II was brought out 2 years after the HX300 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the K-3 II matches up against the HX300 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Sony HX300

 K-3 II HX300 
LaunchedApril 2015February 2013More modern by 27 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Pentax K-3 II

 HX300 K-3 II 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Sony HX300

 K-3 II HX300 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-3 II features outer measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Sony HX300 has proportions of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the K-3 II versus the HX300.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 II and HX300 is 59 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing specifications. The image below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 II and HX300.

Plainly, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-3 II featuring a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax K-3 II will result in extra detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer K-3 II will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 II
Portrait photography with Sony HX300
79
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
42
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography information
Sony HX300 Street photography information
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
50
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than others in class (623 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Sports photography camera
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (720 CIPA)
55
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Travel photography camera
56
environment proofing
good MP (24MP)
not so great battery (720 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
54
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (623g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography details
Sony HX300 Landscape photography details
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery (720 shots)
48
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Vlogging information
Sony HX300 Vlogging information
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
25
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
more heavy than others in class (623 grams)
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Sony HX300
 Pentax K-3 IISony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-3 II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2015-04-23 2013-02-20
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 27 9
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Total lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.3fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash options 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) -
External flash
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 (60, 50 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 pounds) 623 grams (1.37 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1106 not tested
Other
Battery life 720 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) -
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots Two 1
Launch price $829 $339