Both Sony NEX-7 and Pentax K-3 have APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.
One other difference between these two cameras that is worth mentioning is that Pentax K-3's sensor doesn't have an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the NEX-7 and K-3 sensor size comparison.
Sony NEX-7 and Pentax K-3 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Sony NEX-7 and Pentax K-3 sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, NEX-7 has scored 81, 1 points higher than K-3.
Model |
Overall |
Color Depth |
Dynamic Range |
Low-light ISO |
Sony NEX-7 |
81 |
24.1 bits |
13.4 Evs |
1016 ISO |
Pentax K-3 |
80 |
23.7 bits |
13.4 Evs |
1216 ISO |