Sony RX1 vs Pentax K-3

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony RX1 vs Pentax K-3

35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
35.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the RX1.

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 RX1R II
Compare RX1 vs RX1R II

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

Compare SONY RX1R II vs PENTAX K-3 II

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Differences

Sony RX1 advantages over Pentax K-3

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 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
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.
RX1 test data on DxO Mark K-3 test data on DxO Mark

2,534 vs 1,216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots

Pentax K-3 advantages over Sony RX1

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 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

560 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
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 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 15 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read RX1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

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Sony RX1

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Full-frame, 24-megapixel sensor in a compact body; Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 T* lens; Blazing fast autofocus; Impressive image quality that rivals (and sometimes surpasses) full-frame DSLRs; Customizable function buttons make it a breeze to use.
Fixed-length lens limits shooting flexibility; Some exposure bias, color shift, moire and video AF issues; Viewfinders (optical or electronic) only available as optional accessories; Extremely expensive for a compact camera.
Read our Sony RX1 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 Nikon D7100

Sony RX1

Nikon D7100

$2398
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$695
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX1 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 Sony RX1R

Sony RX1

Sony RX1R

$2398
35mm

Has anti-aliasing filter

$2398
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony RX1 vs Sony RX1R

Pentax K-3

Sony RX1R

$699
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2398
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX1R

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony RX1

Nikon D7200

$2398
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1043
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX1 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

Compared to Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1

Sony RX1R II

$2398
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3298
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX1 vs Sony RX1R II

Pentax K-3

Sony RX1R II

$699
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$3298
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX1R II

Compared to Zeiss ZX1

Sony RX1

Zeiss ZX1

$2398
35mm

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$6000
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX1 vs Zeiss ZX1

Pentax K-3

Zeiss ZX1

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$6000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Zeiss ZX1

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