Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 II
55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77
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59 Imaging
66 Features
84 Overall
73
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 204800
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Launched February 2016
- Renewed by 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
- Launched April 2015
- Superseded the Pentax K-3
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview
Below is a comprehensive assessment of the Pentax K-1 versus Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are manufactured by Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and K-3 II (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.
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The K-1 was announced 10 months later than the K-3 II so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the K-1 grades vs the K-3 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 II Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-3 II. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-1 Gallery and Pentax K-3 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax K-3 II
K-1 | K-3 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2016 | ![]() | April 2015 | More recent by 10 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax K-1
K-3 II | K-1 |
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Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-3 II
K-1 | K-3 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3.2" | Equal display measurement |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 1037k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | No Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison
When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-1 has external measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Check the Pentax K-1 versus Pentax K-3 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the K-1 compared to the K-3 II.
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Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and K-3 II is 55 and 59 respectively.
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 and K-3 II.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The K-1 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh simpler and the Pentax K-1 will show extra detail with its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos more aggressively. The more modern K-1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications
Pentax K-1 | Pentax K-3 II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Pentax |
Model type | Pentax K-1 | Pentax K-3 II |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2016-02-17 | 2015-04-23 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Prime III |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 861.6mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 6016 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 204800 | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 33 | 27 |
Cross type focus points | 25 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 151 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen resolution | 1,037k dots | 1,037k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.4 frames per sec | 8.3 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
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 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 | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
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 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Optional |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Built-in | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 1010 grams (2.23 pounds) | 800 grams (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 rating | 96 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 25.4 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.6 | 13.6 |
DXO Low light rating | 3280 | 1106 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 760 photos | 720 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Dual | Dual |
Cost at launch | $1,499 | $829 |