Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7c
59 Imaging
64 Features
85 Overall
72
78 Imaging
75 Features
88 Overall
80
Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7c Key Specs
(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
- Announced April 2014
- Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 509g - 124 x 71 x 60mm
- Released September 2020
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7c Overview
The following is a detailed review of the Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7c, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the A7c (24MP) is relatively close but the K-3 (APS-C) and A7c (Full frame) posses different sensor size.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe K-3 was unveiled 7 years prior to the A7c which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A7c being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the K-3 matches up versus the A7c when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Photography Glossary Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7c Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-3 & Sony Alpha A7c. The full galleries are provided at Pentax K-3 Gallery & Sony A7c Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony A7c
| K-3 | A7c | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 922k | Sharper screen (+115k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A7c over the Pentax K-3
| A7c | K-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | September 2020 | April 2014 | Newer by 78 months | |
| Screen type | Fully articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies | |||
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony A7c
| K-3 | A7c | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Dial accurate focus |
Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7c Physical Comparison
When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 features external 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 A7c has measurements of 124mm x 71mm x 60mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 2.4") with a weight of 509 grams (1.12 lbs).
See the Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7c in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the K-3 and the A7c.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and A7c is 59 and 78 respectively.
Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7c Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The picture underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 and A7c.
As you have seen, each of the cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor dimensions. The K-3 includes the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower DOF more difficult. The more aged K-3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.
Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7c Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7c Specifications
| Pentax K-3 | Sony Alpha A7c | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax K-3 | Sony Alpha A7c |
| Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2014-04-10 | 2020-09-14 |
| Body design | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Prime III | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
| Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 35.8 x 23.8mm |
| Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 852.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 24 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Highest native ISO | 51200 | 51200 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | - | 204800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Minimum enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 27 | 693 |
| Cross type focus points | 25 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 151 | 122 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fully articulated |
| Screen sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 1,037k dot | 922k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,360k dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.59x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
| Fastest silent shutter speed | - | 1/8000s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 8.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
| Flash modes | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | no built-in flash |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | 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) | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
| GPS | Optional | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 800 gr (1.76 lb) | 509 gr (1.12 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 124 x 71 x 60mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 2.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 80 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.4 | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | 1216 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 560 shots | 740 shots |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | D-LI90 | NP-FZ100 |
| Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) |
| Storage slots | Dual | Single |
| Launch pricing | $639 | $1,800 |