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Pentax Q10 vs Sony A3000

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44
Pentax Q10 front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A3000 Key Specs

Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Previous Model is Pentax Q
  • Newer Model is Pentax Q7
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
  • Newer Model is Sony a3500
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony A3000 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Pentax Q10 and Sony A3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the Q10 (12MP) and A3000 (20MP) and the Q10 (1/2.3") and A3000 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The Q10 was brought out 11 months earlier than the A3000 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the Q10 matches up versus the A3000 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Sony A3000

 Q10 A3000 
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Pentax Q10

 A3000 Q10 
ReleasedAugust 2013September 2012More modern by 11 months

Common features in the Pentax Q10 and Sony A3000

 Q10 A3000 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax Q10 comes with physical measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Sony A3000 has sizing of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check out the Pentax Q10 and Sony A3000 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the Q10 vs the A3000.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Q10 and A3000 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes just by viewing specs. The image below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the Q10 and A3000.

All in all, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Q10 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Sony A3000 will render more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged Q10 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q10 vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Q10
Portrait photography with Sony A3000
48
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
77
manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q10 Street photography features
Sony A3000 Street photography features
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (200 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
57
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q10 Sports photography factors
Sony A3000 Sports photography factors
36
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (270 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
60
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
good battery life (470 per charge)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q10 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A3000 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than others in class (200g)
built-in flash
low battery pack (270 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
60
good battery life (470 CIPA)
decent megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average (411g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q10 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A3000 as a Landscape photography camera
54
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (270 per charge)
70
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (470 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q10 Vlogging advice
Sony A3000 Vlogging advice
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (200 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no mic socket
26
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic port
heavier than average (411 grams)
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q10 and Sony A3000
 Pentax Q10Sony Alpha A3000
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Q10 Sony Alpha A3000
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-09-10 2013-08-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ image
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 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount Pentax Q Sony E
Amount of lenses 8 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264, MP4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 200 gr (0.44 lb) 411 gr (0.91 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 49 78
DXO Color Depth score 21.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.9 12.8
DXO Low light score 183 1068
Other
Battery life 270 photographs 470 photographs
Battery form 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
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $350 $398