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Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44
Pentax Q10 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Pentax Q
  • Renewed by Pentax Q7
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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-C3
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the Q10 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively similar but the Q10 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The Q10 was revealed 2 years later than the NEX-3 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick overview of how the Q10 matches up vs the NEX-3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Sony NEX-3

 Q10 NEX-3 
LaunchedSeptember 2012June 2010Fresher by 28 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Pentax Q10

 NEX-3 Q10 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Q10 and Sony NEX-3

 Q10 NEX-3 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax Q10 has got physical measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

See the Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the Q10 compared to the NEX-3.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the Q10 and NEX-3 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing specs. The photograph here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the Q10 and NEX-3.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Q10 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony NEX-3 will offer you greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more modern Q10 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q10 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography information
48
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
72
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax Q10
Street photography with Sony NEX-3
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (200g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
76
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax Q10 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
36
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
low fps (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (270 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
52
good MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q10 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than competition (200g)
built-in flash
terrible battery pack (270 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
59
good MP (14MP)
lack of Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q10 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-3 Landscape photography factors
54
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (270 shots)
68
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q10 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging details
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (200 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic port
27
features face detect focusing
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
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Pentax Q10 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q10 and Sony NEX-3
 Pentax Q10Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Q10 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-09-10 2010-06-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax Q Sony E
Available lenses 8 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 200 gr (0.44 lbs) 297 gr (0.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 49 68
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.9 12.0
DXO Low light rating 183 830
Other
Battery life 270 shots 330 shots
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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $350 $0