Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX50V
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73


89 Imaging
44 Features
57 Overall
49
Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX50V 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
- Revealed April 2014
- New Model is Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
- 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
- Announced April 2013
- Previous Model is Sony HX30V

Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX50V Overview
Lets take a deeper look at the Pentax K-3 versus Sony HX50V, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the HX50V (20MP) is very close but the K-3 (APS-C) and HX50V (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor measurements.

The K-3 was revealed 12 months after the HX50V so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX50V being a Compact camera.
Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the K-3 scores against the HX50V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX50V Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V. The full galleries are available at Pentax K-3 Gallery and Sony HX50V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony HX50V
K-3 | HX50V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2014 | ![]() | April 2013 | Newer by 12 months |
Display dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer display (+116k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Pentax K-3
HX50V | K-3 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony HX50V
K-3 | HX50V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 comes with outside dimensions 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 HX50V has sizing of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).
Look at the Pentax K-3 versus Sony HX50V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the K-3 and the HX50V.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and HX50V is 59 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its hard to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specs. The picture below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and HX50V.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The K-3 using its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Pentax K-3 will render extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The newer K-3 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX50V Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2014-04-10 | 2013-04-24 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Prime III | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 20MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 5184 x 2920 |
Highest native ISO | 51200 | 3200 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | - |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/3.5 - 6.3 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Amount of lenses | 151 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 1,037 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | XtraFine LCD display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 8.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 5.60 m |
Flash options | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180s | - |
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800 gr (1.76 pounds) | 272 gr (0.60 pounds) |
Dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 pictures | 400 pictures |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Two | One |
Retail cost | $639 | $439 |