Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3
93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39


89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Q & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax Q Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Sony NEX-3
Q | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | More recent by 13 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Pentax Q
NEX-3 | Q | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax Q and Sony NEX-3
Q | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Pentax Q | Sony 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 |