Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300
59 Imaging
64 Features
85 Overall
72
64 Imaging
48 Features
45 Overall
46
Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 Key Specs
(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
- Announced April 2014
- Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
- Released January 2008
- Renewed by Sony A330
Photography Glossary Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and A300 (10MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (APS-C).
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe K-3 was introduced 6 years later than the A300 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the K-3 scores against the A300 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-3 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A300. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-3 Gallery and Sony A300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony A300
| K-3 | A300 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | April 2014 | January 2008 | Fresher by 76 months | |
| Display size | 3.2" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.5") | |
| Display resolution | 1037k | 230k | Sharper display (+807k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax K-3
| A300 | K-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony A300
| K-3 | A300 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very accurate focus | |||
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Neither includes Touch display |
Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 features exterior dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Sony A300 has measurements of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Compare the Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the K-3 vs the A300.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and A300 is 59 and 64 respectively.
Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The photograph underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and A300.
As you have seen, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should anticipate the Pentax K-3 to deliver extra detail using its extra 14MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more modern K-3 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.
Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banStreet Comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthSports Comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoTravel Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesLandscape Comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideVlogging Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 Specifications
| Pentax K-3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax K-3 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 |
| Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Announced | 2014-04-10 | 2008-01-30 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Prime III | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
| Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 372.9mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 24 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | - |
| Full resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 3872 x 2592 |
| Max native ISO | 51200 | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW photos | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Total focus points | 27 | 9 |
| Cross type focus points | 25 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Number of lenses | 151 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 3.2 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Display resolution | 1,037k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Display tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.49x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 8.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash modes | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest 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) | - |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | Optional | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 800g (1.76 lbs) | 632g (1.39 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 80 | 64 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | 22.5 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.4 | 11.4 |
| DXO Low light rating | 1216 | 538 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 560 pictures | - |
| Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | D-LI90 | - |
| Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | Compact Flash |
| Card slots | Two | Single |
| Price at launch | $639 | $0 |