Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III
55 Imaging
74 Features
82 Overall
77
58 Imaging
70 Features
86 Overall
76
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III 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 Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Released February 2016
- Successor is Pentax K-1 II
(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
- Announced March 2021
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Lets look closer at the Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are offered by Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and K-3 III (26MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and K-3 III (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe K-1 was manufactured 6 years before the K-3 III which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the K-1 scores against the K-3 III in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-1 & Pentax K-3 Mark III. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax K-1 Gallery & Pentax K-3 III Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax K-3 III
| K-1 | K-3 III | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Pentax K-1
| K-3 III | K-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | March 2021 | February 2016 | More modern by 62 months | |
| Display resolution | 1620k | 1037k | Sharper display (+583k dot) | |
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-3 III
| K-1 | K-3 III | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More exact focusing | |||
| Display size | 3.2" | 3.2" | Same display measurement | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen |
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-1 has exterior measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 III has measurements of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") having a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the K-1 versus the K-3 III.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and K-3 III is 55 and 58 respectively.
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading specifications. The picture below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 and K-3 III.
Plainly, both of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The K-1 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-1 will deliver greater detail due to its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged K-1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.
Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications
| Pentax K-1 | Pentax K-3 Mark III | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Pentax | Pentax |
| Model type | Pentax K-1 | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
| Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
| Released | 2016-02-17 | 2021-03-31 |
| Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 23 x 15.5mm |
| Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 356.5mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 36 megapixels | 26 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Max resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 6192 x 4128 |
| Max native ISO | 204800 | 1600000 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 33 | 101 |
| Cross type focus points | 25 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
| Available lenses | 151 | 156 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.6 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3.2 inch | 3.2 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 1,037k dot | 1,620k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.7x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 4.4 frames per second | 12.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
| Flash modes | 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 | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/200 secs |
| 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 |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | 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 | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 1010g (2.23 lbs) | 820g (1.81 lbs) |
| 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 | 96 | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 25.4 | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.6 | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | 3280 | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 760 photos | 800 photos |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | D-LI90 | D-LI90 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) |
| Storage slots | Dual | Dual |
| Launch price | $1,499 | $1,999 |