Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80

Following is a in-depth review of the Pentax K-3 and Sony HX80, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and HX80 (18MP) and the K-3 (APS-C) and HX80 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.

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The K-3 was announced 23 months before the HX80 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a simple summary of how the K-3 scores versus the HX80 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-3 Gallery and Sony HX80 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 has got physical dimensions 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 HX80 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-3 and Sony HX80 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the K-3 compared to the HX80.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and HX80 is 59 and 91 respectively.

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through technical specs. The picture here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 and HX80.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The K-3 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-3 will provide you with more detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged K-3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.