Sony NEX-3N vs Pentax K-3

Cameras
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Sony NEX-3N vs Pentax K-3

APS-C 366.6mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-3N Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-3N.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A5000
Compare NEX-3N vs A5000

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Compare SONY A5000 vs PENTAX K-3 II

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Differences

Sony NEX-3N advantages over Pentax K-3

Less expensive
$500 vs $1150 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.78 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
34 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
389g vs 1240g
Lighter weight
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Pentax K-3 advantages over Sony NEX-3N

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
~0.90 vs 2.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-3 test data on DxO Mark NEX-3N test data on DxO Mark

1,216 vs 1,067 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 75 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher-res screen
346k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 6 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 16000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NEX-3N User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality for an entry-level mirrorless; User interface ideal for consumers stepping up from point-and-shoots; Speedy and accurate autofocusing; Zoom lever on body; Tremendous value.
Lack of hot shoe or accessory port limits more advanced shooting; No electronic viewfinder; Performance lags behind previous model, especially on burst shooting speed.
Read our Sony NEX-3N Review

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-3N

Sony NEX-5R

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$499
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5R

Pentax K-3

Sony NEX-5R

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Nikon D7100

Sony NEX-3N

Nikon D7100

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$695
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$695
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony NEX-3N

Samsung NX1100

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Higher-res screen

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Samsung NX1100

Pentax K-3

Samsung NX1100

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony NEX-3N

Sony NEX-5T

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$299
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Sony NEX-5T

Pentax K-3

Sony NEX-5T

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$299
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony NEX-3N

Nikon D7200

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$1043
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-3N vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1043
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

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