A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3

The Pentax K-1 and the Sony Alpha NEX-C3 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2016 and June 2011. The K-1 is a DSLR, while the NEX-C3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a full frame (K-1) and an APS-C (NEX-C3) sensor. The Pentax has a resolution of 36.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 16 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Pentax K-1
versus
Sony NEX-C3
Pentax K-1   Sony NEX-C3
Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
Pentax K mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
36.2 MP – Full Frame sensor 16 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60i Video 720/30p Video
ISO 100-204,800 ISO 100-12,800
Optical viewfinder Viewfinder optional
3.2" LCD – 1037k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fully flexible screen (no touchscreen) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
4.4 shutter flaps per second 5.5 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
760 shots per battery charge400 shots per battery charge
137 x 110 x 86 mm, 1010 g 110 x 60 x 33 mm, 225 g
logo
Check K-1 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check NEX-C3 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Pentax K-1 and the Sony Alpha NEX-C3? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

ad

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Pentax K-1 and the Sony NEX-C3 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The K-1 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the NEX-C3 is available in three color-versions (black, silver, pink).

Size Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3
Compare K-1 versus NEX-C3 top
Comparison K-1 or NEX-C3 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony NEX-C3 is considerably smaller (56 percent) than the Pentax K-1. Moreover, the NEX-C3 is substantially lighter (78 percent) than the K-1. It is worth mentioning in this context that the K-1 is splash and dust resistant, while the NEX-C3 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the K-1 gets 760 shots out of its Pentax D-LI90 battery, while the NEX-C3 can take 400 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax K-1 137 mm 110 mm 86 mm 1010 g 760 Y Feb 2016 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-C3 110 mm 60 mm 33 mm 225 g 400 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IV 151 mm 116 mm 76 mm 890 g 900 Y Aug 2016 3,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-M1 II 134 mm 91 mm 67 mm 574 g 440 Y Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax K-1 II 137 mm 110 mm 86 mm 1010 g 670 Y Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
7.
 
Pentax K-3 II 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 720 Y Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
8.
 
Sony A7R IIIA 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Apr 2021 3,199 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A7R III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Oct 2017 3,199ebay.com
10.
 
Sony A99 II 143 mm 104 mm 76 mm 849 g 490 Y Sep 2016 3,199ebay.com
11.
 
Sony A7R II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 625 g 290 Y Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-3N 110 mm 62 mm 35 mm 269 g 480 n Feb 2013 499ebay.com
13.
 
Sony NEX-F3 117 mm 67 mm 42 mm 314 g 470 n May 2012 599ebay.com
14.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 699ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-3 117 mm 62 mm 33 mm 297 g 330 n May 2010 599ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-5 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 287 g 330 n May 2010 699ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A850 156 mm 117 mm 82 mm 895 g 880 Y Aug 2009 1,999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The NEX-C3 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 67 percent) than the K-1, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Pentax K-1 features a full frame sensor and the Sony NEX-C3 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the NEX-C3 is 58 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Pentax K-1 and Sony NEX-C3 sensor measures

With 36.2MP, the K-1 offers a higher resolution than the NEX-C3 (16MP), but the K-1 nevertheless has marginally larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.88μm versus 4.78μm for the NEX-C3) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the K-1 is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 8 months) than the NEX-C3, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the K-1 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Pentax K-1 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the K-1 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 36.8 x 24.6 inches or 93.5 x 62.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 29.4 x 19.6 inches or 74.8 x 49.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 24.5 x 16.4 inches or 62.3 x 41.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony NEX-C3 are 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.4 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.6 x 13.1 inches or 49.9 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.6 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the NEX-C3, the K-1 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Pentax K-1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 204800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha NEX-C3 are ISO 100 to ISO 12800 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

K-1 versus NEX-C3 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under review, the K-1 provides substantially higher image quality than the NEX-C3, with an overall score that is 23 points higher. This advantage is based on 2.7 bits higher color depth, 2.4 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.6 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Pentax K-1 Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60i25.414.6328096
2.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IV Full Frame 30.1 6720 44804K/30p24.813.6299591
4.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
5.
 
Olympus E-M1 II Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.712.8131280
6.
 
Pentax K-1 II Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60i25.114.0269893
7.
 
Pentax K-3 II APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.613.6110680
8.
 
Sony A7R IIIA Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
9.
 
Sony A7R III Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
10.
 
Sony A99 II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p25.413.4231792
11.
 
Sony A7R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.013.9343498
12.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
13.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
14.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
15.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
16.
 
Sony NEX-5 APS-C 14.0 4592 30561080/60i22.212.279669
17.
 
Sony A850 Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none23.812.2141579
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
padding

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the K-1 provides a higher video resolution than the NEX-C3. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60i, while the Sony is limited to 720/30p.

ad

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the K-1 has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the NEX-C3 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the NEX-C3 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the FDA-SV1. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Pentax K-1 and Sony NEX-C3 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Pentax K-1optical Y3.2 / 1037 full-flex n 1/8000s 4.4/s n Y
2.
 
Sony NEX-C3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IVoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 7.0/s n n
4.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
5.
 
Olympus E-M1 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
6.
 
Pentax K-1 IIoptical Y3.2 / 1037 full-flex n 1/8000s 4.4/s n Y
7.
 
Pentax K-3 IIoptical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s n Y
8.
 
Sony A7R IIIA3686 n3.0 / 2340 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
9.
 
Sony A7R III3686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
10.
 
Sony A99 II2400 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
11.
 
Sony A7R II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
12.
 
Sony NEX-3Noptional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
13.
 
Sony NEX-F3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
14.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
15.
 
Sony NEX-3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
16.
 
Sony NEX-5optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
17.
 
Sony A850optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One feature that is present on the K-1, but is missing on the NEX-C3 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The NEX-C3 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the K-1 does not have a selfie-screen.

The Pentax K-1 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The K-1 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the NEX-C3 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The K-1 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the NEX-C3 only has one slot. The K-1 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the NEX-C3 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

ad

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Pentax K-1 and Sony Alpha NEX-C3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Pentax K-1Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y--
2.
 
Sony NEX-C3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IVYmono / monoYYmini3.0YY-
4.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
5.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
6.
 
Pentax K-1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y--
7.
 
Pentax K-3 IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
8.
 
Sony A7R IIIAYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
9.
 
Sony A7R IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
10.
 
Sony A99 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YYY
11.
 
Sony A7R IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
12.
 
Sony NEX-3N-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
13.
 
Sony NEX-F3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
14.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
15.
 
Sony NEX-3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
16.
 
Sony NEX-5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
17.
 
Sony A850Y- / ---mini2.0---
padding

It is notable that the K-1 has a microphone port, which is missing on the NEX-C3. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Pentax K-1 (unlike the NEX-C3) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the K-1 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the K-1 and the NEX-C3 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The K-1 was replaced by the Pentax K-1 II, while the NEX-C3 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the K-1 and NEX-C3 can be found, respectively, in the Pentax K-1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-C3 Manual.

ad

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Pentax K-1 better than the Sony NEX-C3 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

ilogo

Arguments in favor of the Pentax K-1:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (36.2 vs 16MP) with a 50% higher linear resolution.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (23 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (2.7 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (2.4 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (1.6 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60i vs 720/30p).
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 920k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (760 versus 400) on a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 4 years and 8 months of technical progress since the NEX-C3 launch.

ilogo

Advantages of the Sony Alpha NEX-C3:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5.5 vs 4.4 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More compact: Is smaller (110x60mm vs 137x110mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 785g or 78 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (67 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in June 2011).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the K-1 is the clear winner of the match-up (26 : 8 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

K-1 26:08 NEX-C3

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Pentax K-1 and the Sony NEX-C3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the K-1 or the NEX-C3 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

scroll hint
Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Pentax K-15/5....84/1005/55/5 Feb 2016 1,799ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-C33/5+ +..74/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 5D Mark IV4.5/5+ +4/587/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2016 3,499 amazon.com
4.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-M1 II5/5+ +5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
6.
 
Pentax K-1 II....4.5/579/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
7.
 
Pentax K-3 II4.5/5......5/55/5 Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
8.
 
Sony A7R IIIA..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Apr 2021 3,199 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A7R III..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2017 3,199ebay.com
10.
 
Sony A99 II....4.5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 3,199ebay.com
11.
 
Sony A7R II5/5+ +5/590/1005/55/5 Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-3N3/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 499ebay.com
13.
 
Sony NEX-F34/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 599ebay.com
14.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 699ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-3......70/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 599ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-53/5+ +..71/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 699ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A8503/5....75/100..4.5/5 Aug 2009 1,999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

logo
Check K-1 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check NEX-C3 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Pentax K-1 Sony NEX-C3
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Pentax K mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2016 June 2011
    Launch Price USD 1,799 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Pentax K-1 Sony NEX-C3
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 35.9 x 24.0 mm 23.4 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 861.6 mm2 365.04 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.2 mm 28.1 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 36.2 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.88 μm 4.78 μm
    Pixel Density 4.20 MP/cm2 4.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 720/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 204,800 ISO 100 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor PRIME IV BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 96 73
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 25.4 22.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 14.6 12.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 3280 1083
    Screen Specs Pentax K-1 Sony NEX-C3
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Viewfinder optional
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.2inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1037k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Fully flexible screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Pentax K-1 Sony NEX-C3
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 4.4 shutter flaps/s 5.5 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I no
    Connectivity Specs Pentax K-1 Sony NEX-C3
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Geotagging GPS built-in no internal GPS
    Body Specs Pentax K-1 Sony NEX-C3
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Pentax D-LI90 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)760 shots per charge400 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86 mm
    (5.4 x 4.3 x 3.4 in)
    110 x 60 x 33 mm
    (4.3 x 2.4 x 1.3 in)
    Camera Weight 1010 g (35.6 oz) 225 g (7.9 oz)
    logo
    Check K-1 offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check NEX-C3 offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Pentax K-1 vs Sony NEX-C3