Clicky

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40
Pentax Q front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N 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
  • Newer Model is Pentax Q10
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Newer Model is Sony a5000
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the Q (12MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) and the Q (1/2.3") and NEX-3N (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The Q was unveiled 20 months earlier than the NEX-3N which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the Q scores against the NEX-3N with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

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

 Q NEX-3N 

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

 NEX-3N Q 
LaunchedFebruary 2013June 2011Newer by 20 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

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

 Q NEX-3N 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax Q enjoys outside dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has sizing of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the Q and the NEX-3N.

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the Q and NEX-3N is 93 and 89 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the Q and NEX-3N.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Q with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony NEX-3N will produce more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged Q will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography details
45
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
66
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Street Comparison

Pentax Q Street photography details
Sony NEX-3N Street photography details
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (180g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
77
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax Q
Sports photography with Sony NEX-3N
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
54
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (480 CIPA)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Pentax Q Travel photography info
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography info
57
lighter than others (180 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery (230 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
71
good battery power (480 CIPA)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
51
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (480 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging highlights
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (180g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone port
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no external mic support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Pentax Q vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Sony NEX-3N
 Pentax QSony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-06-23 2013-02-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Lowest native ISO 125 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax Q Sony E
Number of lenses 8 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 180 grams (0.40 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 47 74
DXO Color Depth rating 20.2 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 12.5
DXO Low light rating 189 1067
Other
Battery life 230 shots 480 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $695 $399