Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3
63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60


89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Launched October 2012
- Replacement is Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Announced June 2010
- Updated by Sony NEX-C3

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Following is a extensive review of the Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The K-30 was released 2 years after the NEX-3 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple view of how the K-30 grades against the NEX-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-30 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are available at Pentax K-30 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony NEX-3
K-30 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | October 2012 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 30 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Pentax K-30
NEX-3 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony NEX-3
K-30 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-30 has outside dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has specifications of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Compare the Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-30 compared to the NEX-3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-30 and NEX-3 is 63 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through specs. The picture here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-30 and NEX-3.
As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Pentax K-30 to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots more aggressively. The more modern K-30 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Pentax K-30 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K-30 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2012-10-29 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Prime M | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 372.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 25 |
Cross focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 151 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 921k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/6000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 650 grams (1.43 lbs) | 297 grams (0.65 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 79 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.0 | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | 1129 | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 410 pictures | 330 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI109,4 x AA | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $525 | $0 |