Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3
55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77


59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 204800
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Introduced February 2016
- Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- 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
- Revealed April 2014
- Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 Overview
The following is a in depth analysis of the Pentax K-1 versus Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are manufactured by Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

The K-1 was announced 23 months after the K-3 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the K-1 matches up versus the K-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-3. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-1 Gallery and Pentax K-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax K-3
K-1 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2016 | ![]() | April 2014 | Newer by 23 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-1
K-3 | K-1 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-3
K-1 | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3.2" | Same display measurements |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 1037k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-1 comes with external dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Check the Pentax K-1 versus Pentax K-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the K-1 vs the K-3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and K-3 is 55 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it can be hard to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions only by going over a spec sheet. The image below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-1 and K-3.
Clearly, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The K-1 having a larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-1 will offer you extra detail with its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The fresher K-1 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications
Pentax K-1 | Pentax K-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Pentax |
Model | Pentax K-1 | Pentax K-3 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2016-02-17 | 2014-04-10 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Prime III |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36MP | 24MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 6016 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 204800 | 51200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 33 | 27 |
Cross focus points | 25 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Number of lenses | 151 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Display resolution | 1,037k dots | 1,037k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.4 frames/s | 8.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | 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, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) | 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 support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Built-in | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 1010 gr (2.23 pounds) | 800 gr (1.76 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 96 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth score | 25.4 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 14.6 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light score | 3280 | 1216 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 760 photos | 560 photos |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 2 | 2 |
Retail pricing | $1,499 | $639 |