Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 VII

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Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 VII

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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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 VII Review.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 VII.

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Sony RX100 VII

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.91 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 1.8 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 260 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
24.4 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony RX100 VII advantages over Pentax K-3

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
42 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
5 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
169 vs 75 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
77 vs 24 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

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Read K-3 User Reviews

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Sony RX100 VII

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Review Excerpt

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

We haven’t reviewed the Sony RX100 VII.
Read our Sony RX100 VII Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Sony RX100 VII

Nikon D7100

$1298
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 VII vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Sony RX100 VII

Nikon D5300

$1298
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 VII vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Sony RX100 VII

Nikon D7200

$1298
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 VII vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Panasonic ZS100

Pentax K-3

Panasonic ZS100

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$498
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic ZS100

Sony RX100 VII

Panasonic ZS100

$1298
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

$498
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX100 VII vs Panasonic ZS100

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Pentax K-3

Sony RX100 VI

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$949
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 VI

Sony RX100 VII

Sony RX100 VI

$1298
1 inch

External Mic Jack

$949
1 inch

Less expensive
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony RX100 VII vs Sony RX100 VI

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