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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-3
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Replaced the Pentax K-7
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both built by Pentax. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and K-5 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was released 4 years later than the K-5 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the K-3 II matches up versus the K-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax K-5

 K-3 II K-5 
ReleasedApril 2015December 2010Fresher by 53 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax K-3 II

 K-5 K-3 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax K-5

 K-3 II K-5 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 II offers exterior measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the K-3 II compared to the K-5.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 II and K-5 is 59 and 60 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing specifications. The photograph below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 II and K-5.

Plainly, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Pentax K-3 II to offer more detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The newer K-3 II provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
79
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Street photography highlights
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography information
Pentax K-5 Sports photography information
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (720 CIPA)
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography factors
Pentax K-5 Travel photography factors
56
weather proof
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (720 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proof
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Landscape photography camera
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
not so great battery pack (720 shots)
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3 II
Vlogging with Pentax K-5
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic port
display is not selfie friendly
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax K-5
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax K-5
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 II Pentax K-5
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2015-04-23 2010-12-18
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime III Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 27 11
Cross type focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 8.3 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
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 (available with dedicated external flash) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800g (1.76 pounds) 740g (1.63 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 82
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 14.1
DXO Low light rating 1106 1162
Other
Battery life 720 images 980 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI90
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 One
Retail price $829 $800