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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

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

Pentax K-1
(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
Pentax K-3 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  • Superseded the Pentax K-3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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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax K-3 II

 K-1 K-3 II 
LaunchedFebruary 2016April 2015More recent by 10 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display

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

 K-3 II K-1 

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

 K-1 K-3 II 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display dimensions3.2"3.2"Equal display measurement
Display resolution1037k1037kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography information
85
manual focus
amazing megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
79
focusing manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Street photography factors
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
very good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-1
Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (4.4 frames/s)
terrible battery life (760 CIPA)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Travel photography camera
53
environment proofing
amazing megapixels (36MP)
terrible battery life (760 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
56
weather sealing
MP count decent (24MP)
terrible battery (720 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography highlights
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
terrible battery life (760 CIPA)
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
terrible battery (720 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-3 II Vlogging highlights
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-3 II
 Pentax K-1Pentax 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