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Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K20D front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
55
Overall
53

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced June 2008
  • Succeeded the Pentax K10D
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-C3
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Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Pentax K20D and Sony NEX-3, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K20D (15MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The K20D was released 23 months before the NEX-3 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the K20D grades vs the NEX-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Sony NEX-3

 K20D NEX-3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Pentax K20D

 NEX-3 K20D 
ReleasedJune 2010June 2008Fresher by 23 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K20D and Sony NEX-3

 K20D NEX-3 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax K20D comes with physical dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K20D and Sony NEX-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the K20D versus the NEX-3.

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the K20D and NEX-3 is 59 and 89 respectively.

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing simply by checking a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K20D and NEX-3.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Pentax K20D to give greater detail as a result of its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The older K20D is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K20D as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
71
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K20D as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
76
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K20D Sports photography details
Sony NEX-3 Sports photography details
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
51
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K20D
Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
64
environment proof
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have selfie friendly display
59
megapixel count good (14MP)
no Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K20D Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography advice
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
67
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K20D Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging advice
9
no video recording
27
has face detect autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
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Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K20D and Sony NEX-3
 Pentax K20DSony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K20D Sony Alpha NEX-3
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2008-06-25 2010-06-07
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4672 x 3104 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Total lenses 151 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - MPEG-4
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 None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lb) 297 gr (0.65 lb)
Physical dimensions 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 65 68
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 22.1
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 12.0
DXO Low light score 639 830
Other
Battery life - 330 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $700 $0