Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3
59 Imaging
53 Features
52 Overall
52


89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K20D and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are available at Pentax K20D Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2010 | ![]() | June 2008 | Fresher by 23 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K20D vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Pentax K20D | Sony 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 |