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Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand 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
  • Renewed by Pentax K-50
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Renewed by Sony a5000
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Pentax K-30 versus Sony NEX-3N, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is fairly close and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-30 was launched 3 months prior to the NEX-3N and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the K-30 grades versus the NEX-3N with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony NEX-3N

 K-30 NEX-3N 
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Pentax K-30

 NEX-3N K-30 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony NEX-3N

 K-30 NEX-3N 
RevealedOctober 2012February 2013Same age
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-30 has got physical measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3N has sizing of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-30 versus Sony NEX-3N in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the K-30 and the NEX-3N.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and NEX-3N is 63 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing technical specs. The pic below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and NEX-3N.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical MP and you can expect comparable quality of photographs though you will need to consider the launch date of the cameras into account.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

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

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography advice
74
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
66
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Street photography factors
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
77
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography factors
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
53
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (480 shots)
slow fps (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography information
60
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
71
better than average battery pack (480 shots)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography information
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (480 per charge)
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging info
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no external mic jack
28
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have microphone port
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sony NEX-3N
 Pentax K-30Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-30 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-10-29 2013-02-25
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Total lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 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) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 grams (1.43 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 74
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 12.5
DXO Low light rating 1129 1067
Other
Battery life 410 shots 480 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA NPFW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) -
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $525 $399