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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Launched May 2012
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both designed by Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the K-01 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-01 was revealed 22 months prior to the K-3 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the K-01 grades versus the K-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Pentax K-3

 K-01 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-01

 K-3 K-01 
AnnouncedApril 2014May 2012More modern by 22 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-3

 K-01 K-3 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-01 provides physical measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the K-01 vs the K-3.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-01 and K-3 is 76 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over a spec sheet. The picture below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-01 and K-3.

As you can see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax K-3 to offer you extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged K-01 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography information
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
79
has manual focus
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 Street photography information
Pentax K-3 Street photography information
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
heavier than competitors (561 grams)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery power (540 shots)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
does not have phase detect AF
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect AF
terrible battery (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Travel photography highlights
65
good battery power (540 per charge)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than competitors (561 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
weather proof
MP count decent (24MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery (560 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
80
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (540 shots)
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
terrible battery (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (561g)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-3
 Pentax K-01Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-01 Pentax K-3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-05-30 2014-04-10
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 81 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 561 gr (1.24 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 80
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 13.4
DXO Low light score 1135 1216
Other
Battery life 540 images 560 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single 2
Price at launch $899 $639