Clicky

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
77
Overall
61

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
Sony RX100 III
(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
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

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.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

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.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

				

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

 K-3 RX100 III 
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

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

 RX100 III K-3 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k1037kSharper screen (+192k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

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

 K-3 RX100 III 
LaunchedApril 2014May 2014Similar 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography factors
Sony RX100 III Portrait photography factors
79
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
64
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
Sony RX100 III Street photography factors
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
85
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (290 grams)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography information
Sony RX100 III Sports photography information
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
low battery power (560 shots)
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography advice
Sony RX100 III Travel photography advice
60
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery power (560 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
85
lighter than competition in class (290g)
good MP (20MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 III
77
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
low battery power (560 CIPA)
73
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 III as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
80
quite wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (290 grams)
no mic port
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sony RX100 III
 Pentax K-3Sony 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