Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3
92 Imaging
38 Features
54 Overall
44
89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
- Announced August 2014
(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
- Revealed June 2010
- Renewed by Sony NEX-C3
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Let's look closer at the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the Q-S1 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively similar but the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and NEX-3 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe Q-S1 was unveiled 4 years later than the NEX-3 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the Q-S1 grades vs the NEX-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Photography Glossary Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The full galleries are available at Pentax Q-S1 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony NEX-3
| Q-S1 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | August 2014 |  | June 2010 | Fresher by 51 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Pentax Q-S1
| NEX-3 | Q-S1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen resolution | 920k |  | 460k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony NEX-3
| Q-S1 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Dial accurate focus | ||
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal screen measurement |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither features selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax Q-S1 enjoys external measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has specifications of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Examine the Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the Q-S1 vs the NEX-3.
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Q-S1 and NEX-3 is 92 and 89 respectively.
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its hard to see the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over specs. The visual below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the Q-S1 and NEX-3.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Q-S1 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony NEX-3 will offer extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The fresher Q-S1 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.
Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax Q-S1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2014-08-04 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Q Engine | Bionz |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/1.7" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 41.5mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Pentax Q | Sony E |
| Total lenses | 8 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 3" | 3" |
| Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 4.90 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 203 gr (0.45 lb) | 297 gr (0.65 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") | 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 | 250 shots | 330 shots |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI68 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Price at launch | $250 | $0 |
