Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3
69 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34
![Pentax X90 front Pentax X90 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-X90/Pentax-X90-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha NEX-3 front Sony Alpha NEX-3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-NEX-3/Sony-NEX-3-front.jpg)
89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
- Announced July 2010
(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
- Announced June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-C3
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Lets look more closely at the Pentax X90 versus Sony NEX-3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X90 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the X90 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
The X90 was launched at a similar time to the NEX-3 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the X90 scores versus the NEX-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax X90 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax X90 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Sony NEX-3
X90 | NEX-3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Pentax X90
NEX-3 | X90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax X90 and Sony NEX-3
X90 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2010 | ![]() | June 2010 | Similar age |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax X90 features external measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Look at the Pentax X90 versus Sony NEX-3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the X90 and the NEX-3.
![Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-X90-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X90 and NEX-3 is 69 and 89 respectively.
![Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-X90-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading through specs. The image underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the X90 and NEX-3.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The X90 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony NEX-3 will resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures way more aggressively.
![Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-X90-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-X90-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-3-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Pentax X90 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Pentax X90 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax X90 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2010-07-06 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens zoom range | 26-676mm (26.0x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.0 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 9.10 m | 12.00 m |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | 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 | 428 grams (0.94 lbs) | 297 grams (0.65 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 68 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.0 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 330 images |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-L106 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC, Internal | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $350 | $0 |