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Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
62
Features
48
Overall
56

Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(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
  • Launched April 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-3 II
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Launched September 2014
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Lens-style by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-3 was launched 4 months prior to the QX1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the K-3 matches up against the QX1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony QX1

 K-3 QX1 
Screen size3.2""Bigger screen (+3.2")
Screen resolution1037k0kClearer screen (+1037k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Pentax K-3

 QX1 K-3 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony QX1

 K-3 QX1 
LaunchedApril 2014September 2014Same generation
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-3 has exterior 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 QX1 has proportions of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the K-3 versus the QX1.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and QX1 is 59 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing just by checking out specs. The graphic underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 and QX1.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax K-3 to produce greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography factors
Sony QX1 Portrait photography factors
79
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
65
focusing manually
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
no manual mode
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography info
Sony QX1 Street photography info
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
69
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
provides focus via touch
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (216g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3
Sports photography with Sony QX1
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (560 shots)
56
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (440 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony QX1 as a Travel photography camera
60
weather proofing
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
not so great battery life (560 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery (440 shots)
provides focus via touch
MP count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average (216 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
Landscape photography with Sony QX1
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery life (560 per charge)
63
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (440 per charge)
screen is small ( inch)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging features
Sony QX1 Vlogging features
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
32
built-in touchscreen
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic jack
heavier than average (216 grams)
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sony QX1
 Pentax K-3Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-3 Sony Alpha QX1
Category Advanced DSLR Lens-style
Launched 2014-04-10 2014-09-03
Body design Mid-size SLR Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 6016 x 4000 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 51200 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 27 25
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Available lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 1.6
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches -
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 0k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 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) 1920 x 1080 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800g (1.76 lbs) 216g (0.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 440 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Storage slots Dual Single
Pricing at launch $639 $500