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Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
50
Features
68
Overall
57

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
Sony RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 II
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Pentax K-3 versus Sony RX100, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the RX100 (20MP) is very well matched but the K-3 (APS-C) and RX100 (1") have totally different sensor size.

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The K-3 was announced 20 months after the RX100 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a simple summary of how the K-3 matches up versus the RX100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony RX100

 K-3 RX100 
AnnouncedApril 2014August 2012More modern by 20 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Pentax K-3

 RX100 K-3 
Display resolution1229k1037kSharper display (+192k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony RX100

 K-3 RX100 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 offers exterior 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 RX100 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-3 versus Sony RX100 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the K-3 against the RX100.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and RX100 is 59 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at specifications. The pic here should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and RX100.

Plainly, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-3 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-3 will give you extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent K-3 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Portrait photography camera
79
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
64
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Street photography camera
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
79
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (240g)
great ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography advice
Sony RX100 Sports photography advice
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
bad battery pack (560 CIPA)
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has tracking focus
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Travel photography camera
60
environment sealing
good MP (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery pack (560 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
79
lighter than competition (240 grams)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
Sony RX100 Landscape photography information
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
bad battery pack (560 per charge)
74
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging factors
Sony RX100 Vlogging factors
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
38
really wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (240g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sony RX100
 Pentax K-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Class Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-04-10 2012-08-28
Physical type Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 27 25
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Max aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 8.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s 1/2000s
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 (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 support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 lb) 240g (0.53 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 All around score 80 66
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 12.4
DXO Low light score 1216 390
Other
Battery life 560 images 330 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 One
Price at launch $639 $448