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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77

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

Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Older Model is Pentax K-3
Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Introduced March 2021
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

Below is a extended comparison of the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both produced by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-3 II (24MP) and the K-3 III (26MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was announced 7 years before the K-3 III and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the K-3 II matches up against the K-3 III in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 K-3 II K-3 III 

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

 K-3 III K-3 II 
IntroducedMarch 2021April 2015More recent by 72 months
Screen resolution1620k1037kCrisper screen (+583k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

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

 K-3 II K-3 III 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3.2"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 II has got exterior dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 III has specifications of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax K-3 III in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the K-3 II vs the K-3 III.

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

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 II and K-3 III is 59 and 58 respectively.

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

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 II and K-3 III.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Pentax K-3 III to deliver extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The older K-3 II is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography details
Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography details
79
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
82
you can focus manually
fantastic MP (26 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography factors
Pentax K-3 III Street photography factors
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
features touch focus
weather proof
great high ISO (1,600,000)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography factors
Pentax K-3 III Sports photography factors
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery power (720 shots)
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic MP (26MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (800 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography factors
Pentax K-3 III Travel photography factors
56
environment sealing
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
not so great battery power (720 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
features touch focus
fantastic MP (26 megapixels)
bad battery power (800 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Landscape photography camera
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
not so great battery power (720 shots)
80
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic MP (26MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great high ISO (1,600,000)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
bad battery power (800 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Vlogging details
Pentax K-3 III Vlogging details
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
35
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax K-3 III
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 II Pentax K-3 Mark III
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2015-04-23 2021-03-31
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 26 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4000 6192 x 4128
Maximum native ISO 51200 1600000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 27 101
Cross type focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 156
Crop factor 1.5 1.6
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3.2"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 1,620k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.3 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options 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) 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 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
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lbs) 820 grams (1.81 lbs)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1106 not tested
Other
Battery life 720 photos 800 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI90
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Card slots Two Two
Launch price $829 $1,999