• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-x advantages over Sony NEX-3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.3 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony NEX-3 advantages over Pentax K-x

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    511g vs 791g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-x
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • HDMI out
Sony NEX-3
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x
Pentax K-7
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Top deck display
Sony NEX-3
Pentax K-7
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x
Pentax K-r
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • External Mic Jack
Sony NEX-3
Pentax K-r
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Pentax K-x
Sony NEX-C3
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Pentax K-x
Sony NEX-5N
  • $702
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Compare Other Cameras?