Pentax K-3 vs Sony TX1
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73


96 Imaging
33 Features
21 Overall
28
Pentax K-3 vs Sony TX1 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
- Announced April 2014
- Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
- 142g - 94 x 58 x 17mm
- Released August 2009

Pentax K-3 vs Sony TX1 Overview
Lets take a deeper look at the Pentax K-3 versus Sony TX1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and TX1 (10MP) and the K-3 (APS-C) and TX1 (1/2.4") come with different sensor dimensions.

The K-3 was launched 4 years after the TX1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony TX1 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the K-3 grades versus the TX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony TX1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1. The complete galleries are available at Pentax K-3 Gallery & Sony TX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony TX1
K-3 | TX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2014 | ![]() | August 2009 | More modern by 57 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+807k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony TX1 over the Pentax K-3
TX1 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony TX1
K-3 | TX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen |
Pentax K-3 vs Sony TX1 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 has got exterior dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony TX1 has sizing of 94mm x 58mm x 17mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K-3 versus Sony TX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the K-3 compared to the TX1.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and TX1 is 59 and 96 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony TX1 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes purely by viewing specs. The pic below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 and TX1.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-3 because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-3 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The newer K-3 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony TX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony TX1 Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Ultracompact |
Announced | 2014-04-10 | 2009-08-06 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Prime III | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.4" |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 6.104 x 4.578mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 27.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 51200 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.5-4.6 |
Macro focus distance | - | 8cm |
Number of lenses | 151 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,037k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 2s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/1250s |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 3.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800 gr (1.76 lbs) | 142 gr (0.31 lbs) |
Dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 94 x 58 x 17mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 80 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 1216 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 560 images | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI90 | - |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | Two | Single |
Launch pricing | $639 | $350 |