Pentax K-r vs Sony NEX-C3

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-r vs Sony NEX-C3

Leave Feedback

APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-r Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-r.

APS-C 365.0mm²
16.2 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-C3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-C3.

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-r advantages over Sony NEX-C3

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
Bigger pixels
~ 5.53 vs 4.76 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.43 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bigger JPEG buffer
30 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony NEX-C3 advantages over Pentax K-r

Less expensive
$600 vs $850 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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.
NEX-C3 test data on DxO Mark K-r test data on DxO Mark

1,083 vs 750 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
33 mm vs 68 mm
Thinner
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Lighter weight
497g vs 852g
Lighter weight
More pixels
16.2 vs 12.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

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
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

Buy the Pentax K-r

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-C3

Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-r Full Review

Very small body, refined build. Large sensor for good light gathering. Various low-light shooting modes to improve results. HD video mode with real-time autofocus.
Menu-driven interface is sometimes confusing, making quickly finding what you want difficult. Camera may be too small for some.
Read our Sony NEX-C3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3000

Pentax K-r

Nikon D3000

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$450
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Pentax K-r vs Nikon D3000

Sony NEX-C3

Nikon D3000

$559
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

$450
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

Compare Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x

Sony NEX-C3

Pentax K-x

$559
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Pentax K-x

Compared to Nikon D3100

Pentax K-r

Nikon D3100

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-r vs Nikon D3100

Sony NEX-C3

Nikon D3100

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Nikon D3100

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Pentax K-r

Sony NEX-5N

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-r vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5N

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

Shoots 24p video
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Pentax K-r

Sony NEX-5R

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-r vs Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5R

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-C3 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compare Other Cameras?