Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX20V
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73


90 Imaging
42 Features
50 Overall
45
Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX20V 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
- Newer Model is Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Revealed July 2012
- Superseded the Sony HX10V
- Renewed by Sony HX30V

Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX20V Overview
Let's take a deeper look at the Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX20V, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and HX20V (18MP) and the K-3 (APS-C) and HX20V (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

The K-3 was launched 21 months after the HX20V which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.
Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short view of how the K-3 scores versus the HX20V when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX20V Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. The complete galleries are available at Pentax K-3 Gallery & Sony HX20V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony HX20V
K-3 | HX20V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2014 | ![]() | July 2012 | Newer by 21 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 922k | Clearer screen (+115k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Pentax K-3
HX20V | K-3 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony HX20V
K-3 | HX20V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison
When you are going to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 features outside 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) while the Sony HX20V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the K-3 compared to the HX20V.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and HX20V is 59 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading through a spec sheet. The picture underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 and HX20V.
Clearly, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-3 due to its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Pentax K-3 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more recent K-3 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX20V Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2014-04-10 | 2012-07-20 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Prime III | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 18 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 4896 x 3672 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-500mm (20.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/3.2-5.8 |
Macro focus range | - | 1cm |
Total lenses | 151 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 1,037k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 8.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 7.10 m |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/180s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800g (1.76 pounds) | 254g (0.56 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
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 images | 320 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 2 | One |
Launch cost | $639 | $397 |