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Pentax Q vs Sony A3000

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Pentax Q vs Sony A3000 Key Specs

Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Launched June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Released August 2013
  • Replacement is Sony a3500
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Pentax Q vs Sony A3000 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Pentax Q and Sony A3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the Q (12MP) and A3000 (20MP) and the Q (1/2.3") and A3000 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The Q was revealed 3 years earlier than the A3000 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the Q matches up versus the A3000 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony A3000

 Q A3000 
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Pentax Q

 A3000 Q 
ReleasedAugust 2013June 2011Newer by 26 months

Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony A3000

 Q A3000 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax Q vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Pentax Q enjoys physical dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) and the Sony A3000 has specifications of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

See the Pentax Q and Sony A3000 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the Q and the A3000.

Pentax Q vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Q and A3000 is 93 and 69 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions purely by researching a spec sheet. The pic below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q and A3000.

As you can see, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Q with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony A3000 will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged Q will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Pentax Q vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q Portrait photography highlights
Sony A3000 Portrait photography highlights
45
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
77
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
Sony A3000 as a Street photography camera
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
57
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography advice
Sony A3000 Sports photography advice
32
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
60
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (470 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q Travel photography details
Sony A3000 Travel photography details
57
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
low battery life (230 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
better than average battery power (470 shots)
megapixel count good (20MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (411 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A3000 as a Landscape photography camera
51
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 shots)
missing Timelapse function
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (470 shots)
no image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax Q
Vlogging with Sony A3000
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (180 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
26
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (411g)
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Pentax Q vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony A3000
 Pentax QSony Alpha A3000
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q Sony Alpha A3000
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-06-23 2013-08-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount Pentax Q Sony E
Number of lenses 8 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264, MP4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 180 gr (0.40 lb) 411 gr (0.91 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 47 78
DXO Color Depth score 20.2 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 12.8
DXO Low light score 189 1068
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 470 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $695 $398