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Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-F3 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase 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
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-C3
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-3N
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Pentax K-30 and Sony NEX-F3, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the NEX-F3 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-30 was revealed 3 months later than the NEX-F3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the K-30 grades versus the NEX-F3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony NEX-F3

 K-30 NEX-F3 
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Pentax K-30

 NEX-F3 K-30 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony NEX-F3

 K-30 NEX-F3 
AnnouncedOctober 2012August 2012Same generation
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-30 enjoys physical measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-F3 has sizing of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-30 and Sony NEX-F3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the K-30 vs the NEX-F3.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and NEX-F3 is 63 and 86 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The visual underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-30 and NEX-F3.

As you can tell, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos although you might want to factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography highlights
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Street photography camera
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed screen
76
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-F3 Sports photography info
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
53
good MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery power (470 per charge)
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-F3 Travel photography highlights
60
environment sealing
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
69
great battery power (470 shots)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography details
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3")
good MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (470 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-30
Vlogging with Sony NEX-F3
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
27
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no mic socket
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sony NEX-F3
 Pentax K-30Sony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-30 Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-10-29 2012-08-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Prime M Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 16000
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 25
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Available lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 gr (1.43 pounds) 314 gr (0.69 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 73
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 12.3
DXO Low light rating 1129 1114
Other
Battery life 410 images 470 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA NPFW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $525 $470