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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Released July 2014
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
  • Announced August 2013
  • Replacement is Sony a3500
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the A3000 (20MP) is pretty close but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and A3000 (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

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The XG-1 was released 11 months after the A3000 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a brief summation of how the XG-1 grades versus the A3000 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony A3000

 XG-1 A3000 
AnnouncedJuly 2014August 2013Newer by 11 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Pentax XG-1

 A3000 XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A3000

 XG-1 A3000 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax XG-1 provides exterior measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony A3000 has proportions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the XG-1 and the A3000.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and A3000 is 66 and 69 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching technical specs. The image underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and A3000.

As you can tell, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The XG-1 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Sony A3000 will render more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The younger XG-1 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography information
Sony A3000 Portrait photography information
40
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
77
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax XG-1
Street photography with Sony A3000
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography details
Sony A3000 Sports photography details
45
excellent zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
60
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
good battery power (470 per charge)
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography highlights
Sony A3000 Travel photography highlights
52
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1248mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (240 shots)
heavier than competition in class (567g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
good battery power (470 per charge)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than others (411 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A3000 Landscape photography highlights
45
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (470 shots)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging highlights
Sony A3000 Vlogging highlights
25
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
heavier than competition in class (567g)
26
has face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than others (411 grams)
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony A3000
 Pentax XG-1Sony Alpha A3000
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Alpha A3000
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2014-07-15 2013-08-27
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ image
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 3200 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, H.264, MP4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567 grams (1.25 lb) 411 grams (0.91 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 1068
Other
Battery life 240 images 470 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC -
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $599 $398