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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Pentax Q-S1
(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
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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-C3
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Sony NEX-3

 Q-S1 NEX-3 
RevealedAugust 2014June 2010Fresher by 51 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Pentax Q-S1

 NEX-3 Q-S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Sony NEX-3

 Q-S1 NEX-3 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Street photography info
Sony NEX-3 Street photography info
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (203g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/1.7")
76
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography features
Sony NEX-3 Sports photography features
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
52
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
Travel photography with Sony NEX-3
60
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
flash built-in
bad battery (250 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
59
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography details
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 per charge)
68
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging highlights
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (203g)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
27
has face detect focus
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Sony NEX-3
 Pentax Q-S1Sony 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