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Pentax K-x vs Sony G3

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Pentax K-x vs Sony G3 Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-x vs Sony G3 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Pentax K-x versus Sony G3, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-x (12MP) and the G3 (10MP) is fairly similar but the K-x (APS-C) and G3 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor size.

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The K-x was revealed 12 months after the G3 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the K-x matches up versus the G3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Sony G3

 K-x G3 
AnnouncedDecember 2009January 2009More modern by 12 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Pentax K-x

 G3 K-x 
Display sizing3.5"2.7"Larger display (+0.8")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-x and Sony G3

 K-x G3 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Pentax K-x vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-x offers external dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Sony G3 has proportions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

See the Pentax K-x versus Sony G3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the K-x vs the G3.

Pentax K-x vs Sony G3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the K-x and G3 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Pentax K-x vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K-x and G3.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-x using its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-x will offer greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer K-x will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-x vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x Portrait photography features
Sony G3 Portrait photography features
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
26
manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-x Street photography details
Sony G3 Street photography details
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-x Sports photography details
Sony G3 Sports photography details
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (1,900 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000s)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-x
Travel photography with Sony G3
54
good battery (1,900 shots)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Landscape photography camera
Sony G3 as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (1,900 CIPA)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
36
manual focus
big screen (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x Vlogging features
Sony G3 Vlogging features
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
27
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Pentax K-x vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Sony G3
 Pentax K-xSony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-x Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-12-23 2009-01-08
Physical type Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3.5 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 1 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 16.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 580g (1.28 pounds) 185g (0.41 pounds)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 811 not tested
Other
Battery life 1900 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $600 $200