Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3
66 Imaging
40 Features
37 Overall
38
89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3 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
- Announced July 2014
(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
- Renewed by Sony NEX-C3
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Its time to look more closely at the Pentax XG-1 and Sony NEX-3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is pretty similar but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and NEX-3 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe XG-1 was announced 4 years later than the NEX-3 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summary of how the XG-1 matches up against the NEX-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax XG-1 & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax XG-1 Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony NEX-3
| XG-1 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | July 2014 |  | June 2010 | More recent by 50 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Pentax XG-1
| NEX-3 | XG-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen resolution | 920k |  | 460k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony NEX-3
| XG-1 | NEX-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Very precise focus | ||
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal screen dimensions |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither features selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Missing Touch screen |
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax XG-1 enjoys external 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 NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Check out the Pentax XG-1 and Sony NEX-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the XG-1 versus the NEX-3.
Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and NEX-3 is 66 and 89 respectively.
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading technical specs. The graphic here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the XG-1 and NEX-3.
As you have seen, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The XG-1 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax XG-1 will offer you greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent XG-1 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.
Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
| Pentax XG-1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax XG-1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2014-07-15 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony E |
| Lens focal range | 24-1248mm (52.0x) | - |
| Largest aperture | f/2.8-5.6 | - |
| Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
| Total lenses | - | 121 |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 460k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder resolution | 200k dots | - |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 9.0 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.00 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 567 grams (1.25 lbs) | 297 grams (0.65 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 68 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.1 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.0 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 830 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 240 images | 330 images |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | LB-060 | NPFW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at release | $599 | $0 |