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Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • New Model is Pentax K-50
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and G3 (10MP) and the K-30 (APS-C) and G3 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The K-30 was revealed 3 years after the G3 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the K-30 grades against the G3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Sony G3

 K-30 G3 
ReleasedOctober 2012January 2009Newer by 47 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Pentax K-30

 G3 K-30 
Screen dimension3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Sony G3

 K-30 G3 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution921k921kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax K-30 enjoys outer dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Sony G3 has specifications of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the K-30 vs the G3.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and G3 is 63 and 94 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K-30 and G3.

Clearly, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K-30 with its bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Pentax K-30 will resolve extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more recent K-30 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography highlights
Sony G3 Portrait photography highlights
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
26
manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography features
Sony G3 Street photography features
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
fixed screen
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 Sports photography highlights
Sony G3 Sports photography highlights
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (6.0 fps)
not so great battery life (410 shots)
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography information
Sony G3 Travel photography information
60
weather proof
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
not so great battery life (410 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography features
Sony G3 Landscape photography features
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
not so great battery life (410 shots)
36
manual focus
lovely big screen (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
Sony G3 as a Vlogging camera
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
27
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
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Pentax K-30 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Sony G3
 Pentax K-30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-10-29 2009-01-08
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Total lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3.5 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 grams (1.43 pounds) 185 grams (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1129 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $525 $200