Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-3
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Introduced March 2011
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Introduced June 2010
- Later Model is Sony NEX-C3
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Let's take a more detailed look at the Pentax S1 and Sony NEX-3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very similar but the S1 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe S1 was launched 9 months after the NEX-3 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the S1 matches up vs the NEX-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax Optio S1 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are available at Pentax S1 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony NEX-3
| S1 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | March 2011 |  | June 2010 | More modern by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Pentax S1
| NEX-3 | S1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting display |
| Display dimensions | 3" |  | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
| Display resolution | 920k |  | 230k | Crisper display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony NEX-3
| S1 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | More exact focusing | ||
| Selfie screen |  | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
| Touch display |  | Neither provides Touch display |
Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax S1 provides external measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Compare the Pentax S1 and Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the S1 and the NEX-3.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S1 and NEX-3 is 93 and 89 respectively.
Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing technical specs. The pic here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and NEX-3.
As you have seen, both cameras have the same megapixel count but not the same sensor sizes. The S1 has got the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF tougher. The younger S1 will have a benefit in sensor tech.
Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Pentax Optio S1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax Optio S1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Introduced | 2011-03-02 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 80 | 200 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
| Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | - |
| Max aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | - |
| Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
| Amount of lenses | - | 121 |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display diagonal | 2.7" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Display tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/1500 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.90 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone 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 | 157 grams (0.35 lb) | 297 grams (0.65 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 260 photographs | 330 photographs |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI92 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at launch | $174 | $0 |