Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7 III
66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
38
63 Imaging
73 Features
92 Overall
80
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7 III Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
- 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
- Launched July 2014
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 650g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
- Released February 2018
- Earlier Model is Sony A7 II
- Replacement is Sony A7 IV
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Its time to take a more detailed look at the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A7 III, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and A7 III (24MP) and the XG-1 (1/2.3") and A7 III (Full frame) have totally different sensor dimensions.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe XG-1 was launched 4 years before the A7 III and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a short highlight of how the XG-1 matches up against the A7 III with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Photography Glossary Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7 III Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax XG-1 & Sony Alpha A7 III. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax XG-1 Gallery & Sony A7 III Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony A7 III
| XG-1 | A7 III |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A7 III over the Pentax XG-1
| A7 III | XG-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | February 2018 | July 2014 | More recent by 44 months | |
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display resolution | 922k | 460k | Sharper display (+462k dot) | |
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A7 III
| XG-1 | A7 III | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very accurate focusing | |||
| Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Neither offers selfie screen |
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7 III Physical Comparison
When you are planning to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax XG-1 offers physical dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony A7 III has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A7 III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the XG-1 and the A7 III.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and A7 III is 66 and 63 respectively.
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7 III Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements only by going over specifications. The visual below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the XG-1 and A7 III.
To sum up, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The XG-1 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A7 III will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older XG-1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7 III Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7 III Specifications
| Pentax XG-1 | Sony Alpha A7 III | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax XG-1 | Sony Alpha A7 III |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Pro Mirrorless |
| Launched | 2014-07-15 | 2018-02-27 |
| Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | - | Bionz X |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Full frame |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 35.8 x 23.8mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 852.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Highest native ISO | 3200 | 51200 |
| Highest boosted ISO | - | 204800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Minimum boosted ISO | - | 50 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 693 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony E |
| Lens focal range | 24-1248mm (52.0x) | - |
| Largest aperture | f/2.8-5.6 | - |
| Macro focus distance | 1cm | - |
| Total lenses | - | 121 |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 922k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | 200k dots | 2,359k dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.78x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 9.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.00 m | no built-in flash |
| Flash modes | Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction | no built-in flash |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 567 gr (1.25 lbs) | 650 gr (1.43 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") | 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 96 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 25.0 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 14.7 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 3730 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 240 photos | 610 photos |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | LB-060 | NP-FZ100 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | 2 |
| Pricing at launch | $599 | $1,998 |