Clicky

Pentax K-x vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
69
Imaging
51
Features
47
Overall
49
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

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

Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
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
  • Introduced February 2013
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-F3
  • Newer Model is Sony a5000
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Pentax K-x vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Pentax K-x and Sony NEX-3N, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the K-x (12MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The K-x was introduced 4 years before the NEX-3N which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the K-x scores against the NEX-3N with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

        

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

 K-x NEX-3N 

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

 NEX-3N K-x 
IntroducedFebruary 2013December 2009More modern by 38 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

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

 K-x NEX-3N 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

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

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-x provides outer measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-x and Sony NEX-3N in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the K-x compared to the NEX-3N.

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

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-x and NEX-3N is 69 and 89 respectively.

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

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

Normally, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing specs. The pic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-x and NEX-3N.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony NEX-3N to show more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The more aged K-x will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

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

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

Pentax K-x vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography info
62
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
66
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no external flash support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Pentax K-x Street photography advice
Sony NEX-3N Street photography advice
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
77
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography highlights
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (1,900 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
53
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (480 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x Travel photography features
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography features
53
better than average battery (1,900 CIPA)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery (480 per charge)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography info
60
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (1,900 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (480 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-x
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3N
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
28
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external mic socket
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Pentax K-x vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony NEX-3N
 Pentax K-xSony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-x Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-12-23 2013-02-25
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Prime Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 2848 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Amount of lenses 151 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 16.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum 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 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lbs) 269 grams (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 74
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 12.5
DXO Low light score 811 1067
Other
Battery life 1900 photos 480 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $600 $399