Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
![Pentax K-3 front Pentax K-3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-3/Pentax-K-3-front.jpg)
![Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX80/Sony-HX80-front.jpg)
91 Imaging
44 Features
60 Overall
50
Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 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 Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Revealed April 2014
- Successor is Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 80 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Released March 2016
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 Overview
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 Gallery
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.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony HX80
K-3 | HX80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 921k | Sharper display (+116k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Pentax K-3
HX80 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2016 | ![]() | April 2014 | More modern by 23 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony HX80
K-3 | HX80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison
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.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
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.
![Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 size comparison Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-3-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX80-size-comparison.jpg)
Using size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and HX80 is 59 and 91 respectively.
![Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-3-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX80-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison
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.
![Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-K-3-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX80-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-3-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX80-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX80 Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2014-04-10 | 2016-03-07 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Prime III | Bionz X |
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 area | 366.6mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixel | 18 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 4896 x 3672 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 3200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 27 | - |
Cross type focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 5cm |
Total lenses | 151 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 800 gr (1.76 lb) | 245 gr (0.54 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 shots | 390 shots |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 2 | Single |
Launch price | $639 | $368 |