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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
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
  • Announced March 2021
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

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.

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

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

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

 K-3 III K-1 
AnnouncedMarch 2021February 2016More modern by 62 months
Display resolution1620k1037kSharper 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 size3.2"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

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

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

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

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography info
85
manual focus
amazing MP (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
82
has manual focus
MP count fantastic (26 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-3 III Street photography highlights
70
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
good high ISO (204,800)
heavier than competition (1,010g)
70
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch to focus
environment sealing
very good ISO range (1,600,000)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 III Sports photography features
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.4 fps)
not so great battery life (760 per charge)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count fantastic (26MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (800 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Travel photography camera
53
weather proof
amazing MP (36 megapixels)
not so great battery life (760 shots)
heavier than competition (1,010g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
64
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
MP count fantastic (26MP)
bad battery life (800 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography highlights
81
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery life (760 CIPA)
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count fantastic (26 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (1,600,000)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
bad battery life (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Vlogging camera
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
heavier than competition (1,010g)
35
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

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