Clicky

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(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
Sony A300
(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
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

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).

Photography Glossary

The 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
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony A300

 K-3 A300 
ReleasedApril 2014January 2008Fresher by 76 months
Display size3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax K-3

 A300 K-3 
Display typeTiltingFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
Portrait photography with Sony A300
79
you can focus manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
59
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (10 megapixels)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
Sony A300 Street photography factors
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
74
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3
Sports photography with Sony A300
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
terrible battery power (560 shots)
54
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography information
Sony A300 Travel photography information
60
environment proofing
MP count good (24MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery power (560 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
45
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
MP count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography advice
Sony A300 Landscape photography advice
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
terrible battery power (560 per charge)
57
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging details
Sony A300 Vlogging details
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic port
display is not selfie friendly
9
no video
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sony A300
 Pentax K-3Sony 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