Sony DSC-HX9V vs Pentax K-3

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Sony DSC-HX9V vs Pentax K-3

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony DSC-HX9V Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSC-HX9V.

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 HX20V
Compare DSC-HX9V vs HX20V

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

Compare SONY HX20V vs PENTAX K-3 II

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Differences

Sony DSC-HX9V advantages over Pentax K-3

Less expensive
$350 vs $1150 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
33 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 advantages over Sony DSC-HX9V

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.91 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 2.1 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 300 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
24.4 vs 16.2 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
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 3200 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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

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Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Excellent optical quality; High resolution; High-resolution Panorama mode; Good video quality; Good grip; Fast autofocus.
Sluggish user interface and Full HD video mode; Heavy noise suppression; GPS is sometimes slow to sync.
Read our Sony DSC-HX9V Express 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 Panasonic ZS8

Sony DSC-HX9V

Panasonic ZS8

$329
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

$259
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Panasonic ZS8

Pentax K-3

Panasonic ZS8

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$259
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic ZS8

Compared to Sony HX10V

Sony DSC-HX9V

Sony HX10V

$329
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

$375
1/2.3 inch

Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony HX10V

Pentax K-3

Sony HX10V

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$375
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX10V

Compared to Sony H90

Sony DSC-HX9V

Sony H90

$329
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

$223
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs Sony H90

Pentax K-3

Sony H90

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$223
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony H90

Compared to Nikon D7100

Sony DSC-HX9V

Nikon D7100

$329
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

$690
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs 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

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony DSC-HX9V

Nikon D7200

$329
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony DSC-HX9V vs 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

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