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Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
55
Imaging
77
Features
82
Overall
79
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs

Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Replaced the Pentax K-1
Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Launched March 2021
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Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are designed by Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the K-1 II (36MP) and K-3 III (26MP) and the K-1 II (Full frame) and K-3 III (APS-C) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The K-1 II was launched 4 years prior to the K-3 III which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the K-1 II matches up against the K-3 III in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Pentax K-3 III

 K-1 II K-3 III 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Pentax K-1 II

 K-3 III K-1 II 
LaunchedMarch 2021February 2018More modern by 37 months
Display resolution1620k1037kCrisper display (+583k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-1 II and Pentax K-3 III

 K-1 II K-3 III 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display size3.2"3.2"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-1 II features physical dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 III has sizing of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") and a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-1 II vs the K-3 III.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 II and K-3 III is 55 and 58 respectively.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes merely by looking at specs. The picture underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-1 II and K-3 III.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The K-1 II featuring a larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax K-1 II will give you greater detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged K-1 II is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-1 II
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 III
86
you can focus manually
fantastic megapixels (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
82
has manual focus
resolution is excellent (26MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 II as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Street photography camera
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
above average ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
70
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
features focus by touch
weather proofing
good ISO range (1,600,000)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Sports photography factors
Pentax K-3 III Sports photography factors
77
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery (670 per charge)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is excellent (26MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (800 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 II as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Travel photography camera
53
weather proofing
fantastic megapixels (36MP)
terrible battery (670 shots)
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
resolution is excellent (26MP)
terrible battery pack (800 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography factors
82
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no low pass filter
above average ISO range (819,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is excellent (26 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (1,600,000)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery pack (800 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Vlogging features
Pentax K-3 III Vlogging features
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (1,010g)
35
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 II and Pentax K-3 III
 Pentax K-1 Mark IIPentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-1 Mark II Pentax K-3 Mark III
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2018-02-22 2021-03-31
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME IV -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 26 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 6192 x 4128
Maximum native ISO 819200 1600000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 33 101
Cross type focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF4 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 156
Crop factor 1 1.6
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 1,620k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.4 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options 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 Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless 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 Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 lb) 820 grams (1.81 lb)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 670 images 800 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Storage slots Dual Dual
Pricing at release $1,737 $1,999