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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sony Alpha a6100 front
Portability
81
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
Sony A6100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 51200)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 67 x 59mm
  • Released August 2019
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Pentax K-3 versus Sony A6100, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the A6100 (24MP) is very close and they come with the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-3 was introduced 6 years earlier than the A6100 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A6100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the K-3 grades against the A6100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony A6100

 K-3 A6100 
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k922kSharper display (+115k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A6100 over the Pentax K-3

 A6100 K-3 
ReleasedAugust 2019April 2014More recent by 65 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony A6100

 K-3 A6100 
Focus manually More precise focus

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 comes with physical measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony A6100 has measurements of 120mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") having a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-3 versus Sony A6100 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the K-3 and the A6100.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and A6100 is 59 and 81 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by researching specs. The graphic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 and A6100.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures but you should always consider the production date of the cameras into account. The older K-3 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography advice
Sony A6100 Portrait photography advice
79
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW files
81
you can focus manually
decent MP (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography highlights
Sony A6100 Street photography highlights
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
79
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
supports focus via touch
good ISO range (32,000)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography highlights
Sony A6100 Sports photography highlights
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
low battery life (560 shots)
74
decent MP (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography details
Sony A6100 Travel photography details
60
weather proofing
MP count good (24MP)
built-in flash
low battery life (560 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
86
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
decent MP (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography info
Sony A6100 Landscape photography info
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery life (560 per charge)
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent MP (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A6100 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
79
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
features face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external microphone jack
no image stabilization
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sony A6100
 Pentax K-3Sony Alpha a6100
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-3 Sony Alpha a6100
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2014-04-10 2019-08-28
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6016 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 27 425
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Amount of lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Flash off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless, hi-speed
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lbs) 396 gr (0.87 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 120 x 67 x 59mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1216 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 photographs 420 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Dual 1
Price at release $639 $748