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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX100 VI

Portability
59
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI front
Portability
88
Imaging
54
Features
75
Overall
62

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX100 VI 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
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-3
Sony RX100 VI
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 301g - 102 x 58 x 43mm
  • Released June 2018
  • Replaced the Sony RX100 V
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 VII
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX100 VI Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Pentax K-3 II versus Sony RX100 VI, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-3 II (24MP) and the RX100 VI (20MP) is very similar but the K-3 II (APS-C) and RX100 VI (1") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The K-3 II was brought out 4 years before the RX100 VI and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony RX100 VI being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the K-3 II matches up vs the RX100 VI with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Sony RX100 VI

 K-3 II RX100 VI 
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VI over the Pentax K-3 II

 RX100 VI K-3 II 
ReleasedJune 2018April 2015Fresher by 37 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1229k1037kClearer display (+192k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Sony RX100 VI

 K-3 II RX100 VI 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX100 VI Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 II enjoys outer measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony RX100 VI has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7") and a weight of 301 grams (0.66 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-3 II versus Sony RX100 VI in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the K-3 II vs the RX100 VI.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX100 VI size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-3 II and RX100 VI is 59 and 88 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX100 VI top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX100 VI Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The graphic below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 II and RX100 VI.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-3 II due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-3 II will offer greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older K-3 II is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX100 VI sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX100 VI Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX100 VI Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography info
Sony RX100 VI Portrait photography info
80
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
66
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-3 II
Street photography with Sony RX100 VI
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
85
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
supports focus via touch
lighter than competition (301 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
Sports photography with Sony RX100 VI
77
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery pack (720 CIPA)
70
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (24.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
provides tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery life (240 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3 II
Travel photography with Sony RX100 VI
57
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (720 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
77
lighter than competition (301 grams)
supports bluetooth
supports focus via touch
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
fairly wide (24mm)
low battery life (240 per charge)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography information
Sony RX100 VI Landscape photography information
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery pack (720 CIPA)
65
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low battery life (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3 II
Vlogging with Sony RX100 VI
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
77
fairly wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition (301 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of microphone jack
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Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX100 VI Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Sony RX100 VI
 Pentax K-3 IISony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-3 II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI
Class Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2015-04-23 2018-06-05
Body design Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 27 315
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-200mm (8.3x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-4.5
Macro focusing range - 8cm
Available lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.59x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.3 frames/s 24.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.90 m (at Auto ISO)
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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lbs) 301 grams (0.66 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 102 x 58 x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7")
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 photos 240 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail price $829 $1,198