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Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 II Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(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
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Sony RX100
  • Refreshed by Sony RX100 III
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 II Overview

Here, we are matching up the Pentax K-3 and Sony RX100 II, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the RX100 II (20MP) is fairly close but the K-3 (APS-C) and RX100 II (1") provide different sensor sizes.

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The K-3 was unveiled 10 months later than the RX100 II which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony RX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the K-3 scores vs the RX100 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony RX100 II

 K-3 RX100 II 
AnnouncedApril 2014June 2013More recent by 10 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Pentax K-3

 RX100 II K-3 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1229k1037kClearer display (+192k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony RX100 II

 K-3 RX100 II 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 enjoys physical measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony RX100 II has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

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

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the K-3 versus the RX100 II.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and RX100 II is 59 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching specifications. The photograph below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 and RX100 II.

Plainly, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The K-3 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Pentax K-3 will result in greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The more recent K-3 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 II
79
focusing manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
70
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
good megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-3
Street photography with Sony RX100 II
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than average (281g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography highlights
Sony RX100 II Sports photography highlights
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (560 CIPA)
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery (350 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3
Travel photography with Sony RX100 II
60
environment proofing
good resolution (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (560 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
80
better than average battery (350 per charge)
lighter than average (281 grams)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 II as a Landscape photography camera
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
terrible battery pack (560 shots)
74
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (350 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging highlights
Sony RX100 II Vlogging highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
37
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (281g)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sony RX100 II
 Pentax K-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Category Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-04-10 2013-06-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6016 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 27 25
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD monitor Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash settings 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 gr (1.76 pounds) 281 gr (0.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 67
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 12.4
DXO Low light rating 1216 483
Other
Battery life 560 shots 350 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual 1
Price at launch $639 $598