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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(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
  • Introduced July 2014
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-F3
  • Later Model is Sony a5000
Photography Glossary

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is relatively similar but the XG-1 (1/2.3") and NEX-3N (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The XG-1 was introduced 17 months after the NEX-3N which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony NEX-3N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the XG-1 scores vs the NEX-3N when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony NEX-3N

 XG-1 NEX-3N 
RevealedJuly 2014February 2013Newer by 17 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Pentax XG-1

 NEX-3N XG-1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony NEX-3N

 XG-1 NEX-3N 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax XG-1 comes with exterior measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") and a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony NEX-3N has specifications of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the XG-1 compared to the NEX-3N.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and NEX-3N is 66 and 89 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading specifications. The pic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the XG-1 and NEX-3N.

To sum up, both cameras feature the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The XG-1 has the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF harder. The more modern XG-1 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Portrait photography camera
40
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
66
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax XG-1
Street photography with Sony NEX-3N
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
77
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography information
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
54
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (480 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography details
52
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (1248mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
good battery pack (480 shots)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
45
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (480 shots)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging features
25
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (567 grams)
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic port
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony NEX-3N
 Pentax XG-1Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-07-15 2013-02-25
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 9.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m -
Flash options Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
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 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567g (1.25 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 1067
Other
Battery life 240 shots 480 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at release $599 $399