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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
76 Imaging
56 Features
68 Overall
60
Pentax K-01 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59 Imaging
65 Features
84 Overall
72

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Introduced May 2012
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Pentax K-01 versus Pentax K-3 II, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both are built by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-01 (16MP) and K-3 II (24MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-01 was brought out 3 years prior to the K-3 II and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the K-01 matches up versus the K-3 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary 

        

          

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

          

          

            
 K-01 K-3 II 
          

        


        

          

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

          

          

            
 K-3 II K-01 
ReleasedApril 2015May 2012Fresher by 35 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 II

          

          

            
 K-01 K-3 II 
Manually focus  Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen  Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen  Neither has Touch friendly screen
          

        

        

	
	
	
	

        

          

            
Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

          

          

            
If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-01 has outside measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") having a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 II has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
See the Pentax K-01 versus Pentax K-3 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-01 versus the K-3 II.
Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-01 and K-3 II is 76 and 59 respectively.
Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison          

        


        

          

            
Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

          

          

            
Quite often, it is hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing just by reading a spec sheet. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the K-01 and K-3 II.
Clearly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Pentax K-3 II to offer more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older K-01 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

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

        


        

          

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

          

          

                      

          Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison        


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Photography Type Scores

          

        

        
Portrait Comparison
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography advice
73
 you can focus manually
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is good (APS-C)
 provides face detect focusing
 supports RAW files
79
 you can focus manually
 good megapixels (24MP)
 nice sensor size (APS-C)
 supports face detection autofocus
 exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison
Pentax K-01 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Street photography highlights
66
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is good (APS-C)
 supports RAW files
 no articulating screen
 heavier than competition in class (561 grams)
69
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 nice sensor size (APS-C)
 exports RAW formats
 environment proof
 above average ISO range (51,200)
 no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison
Pentax K-01 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography factors
61
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is good (APS-C)
 better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
 slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
 no phase detect AF
76
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good megapixels (24MP)
 nice sensor size (APS-C)
 supports tracking autofocus
 environment proof
 comes with phase detect autofocus
 bad battery power (720 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Pentax K-01
Travel photography with Pentax K-3 II
65
 better than average battery pack (540 shots)
 MP count decent (16 megapixels)
 has built in flash
 heavier than competition in class (561 grams)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
56
 environment proof
 good megapixels (24MP)
 bad battery power (720 shots)
 display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography highlights
80
 you can focus manually
 change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
 decent sized screen (3 inches)
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 MP count decent (16MP)
 sensor size is good (APS-C)
 supports RAW files
 better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
77
 you can focus manually
 interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
 screen size is good (3.2")
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good megapixels (24MP)
 nice sensor size (APS-C)
 does not have low pass filter
 above average ISO range (51,200)
 exports RAW formats
 environment proof
 two card slots
 bad battery power (720 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Pentax K-01
Vlogging with Pentax K-3 II
34
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 provides face detect focusing
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 does have mic jack
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 heavier than competition in class (561 grams)
34
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 supports face detection autofocus
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 does have external mic socket
 display is not selfie friendly
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

          

          

                      


          

            Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-3 II
 Pentax K-01Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-01 Pentax K-3 II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-05-30 2015-04-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias 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 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Autofocus continuous    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Center weighted autofocus    
Multi area autofocus    
Live view autofocus    
Face detect focus    
Contract detect focus    
Phase detect focus    
Total focus points 81 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 921k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch functionality    
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 8.3 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Highest 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 format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 561g (1.24 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
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 rating 79 80
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.9 13.6
DXO Low light rating 1135 1106
Other
Battery life 540 pictures 720 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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 Two
Retail price $899 $829