Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73


89 Imaging
51 Features
77 Overall
61
Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III 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 Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Released April 2014
- Successor is Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 125 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
- 290g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
- Launched May 2014
- Old Model is Sony RX100 II
- New Model is Sony RX100 IV

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the RX100 III (20MP) is pretty well matched but the K-3 (APS-C) and RX100 III (1") posses different sensor size.

The K-3 was unveiled very close to the RX100 III and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony RX100 III being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief summation of how the K-3 matches up against the RX100 III with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III. The full galleries are provided at Pentax K-3 Gallery & Sony RX100 III Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony RX100 III
K-3 | RX100 III | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Sony RX100 III over the Pentax K-3
RX100 III | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 1037k | Sharper screen (+192k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony RX100 III
K-3 | RX100 III | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2014 | ![]() | May 2014 | Similar age |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 enjoys physical dimensions 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 III has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 290 grams (0.64 lbs).
Look at the Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the K-3 vs the RX100 III.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and RX100 III is 59 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading through a spec sheet. The pic here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and RX100 III.
As you can see, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The K-3 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax K-3 will give you more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Large Sensor Compact |
Released | 2014-04-10 | 2014-05-15 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime III | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-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 | 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 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | 25 |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-70mm (2.9x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/1.8-2.8 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Available lenses | 151 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 1,037 thousand dot | 1,229 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.59x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 8.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | - |
Flash options | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | - |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800 gr (1.76 lb) | 290 gr (0.64 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 80 | 67 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 22.4 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.4 | 12.3 |
DXO Low light score | 1216 | 495 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 560 pictures | 320 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, self-portrait, continuous) |
Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
Storage media | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Two | Single |
Retail pricing | $639 | $748 |