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Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Launched June 2011
  • Updated by Pentax Q10
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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-C3
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Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Pentax Q versus Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the Q (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is pretty similar but the Q (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The Q was brought out 13 months later than the NEX-3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the Q grades vs the NEX-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony NEX-3

 Q NEX-3 
IntroducedJune 2011June 2010More recent by 13 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Pentax Q

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

Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony NEX-3

 Q NEX-3 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax Q features exterior dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax Q versus Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the Q vs the NEX-3.

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Q and NEX-3 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Q and NEX-3.

Clearly, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The Q featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Sony NEX-3 will offer extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent Q will have an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
45
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
72
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q Street photography info
Sony NEX-3 Street photography info
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (180g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q Sports photography information
Sony NEX-3 Sports photography information
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (230 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
52
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography advice
57
lighter than competition (180 grams)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
59
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Q
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
51
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
68
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (180 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
27
comes with face detect autofocus
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic jack
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Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony NEX-3
 Pentax QSony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q Sony Alpha NEX-3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-06-23 2010-06-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 125 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax Q Sony E
Total lenses 8 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180 grams (0.40 lbs) 297 grams (0.65 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 47 68
DXO Color Depth rating 20.2 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 12.0
DXO Low light rating 189 830
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 330 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $695 $0