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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 II 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-3
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Pentax K-3 II versus Pentax K-5 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both designed by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and K-5 II (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was released 23 months after the K-5 II which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the K-3 II matches up versus the K-5 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 K-3 II K-5 II 
RevealedApril 2015June 2013More modern by 23 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)

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

 K-5 II K-3 II 

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

 K-3 II K-5 II 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

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

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 II comes with external dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-3 II versus Pentax K-5 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the K-3 II compared to the K-5 II.

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

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 II and K-5 II is 59 and 60 respectively.

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

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

Normally, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by checking specifications. The picture here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 II and K-5 II.

To sum up, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Pentax K-3 II to give you extra detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The fresher K-3 II is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography information
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography information
79
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Street photography camera
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography info
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography info
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
bad battery pack (720 shots)
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Travel photography camera
56
environment proof
megapixel count good (24MP)
bad battery pack (720 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
65
weather proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography highlights
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
bad battery pack (720 shots)
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Vlogging camera
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone socket
does not posses selfie friendly display
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax K-5 II
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax K-5 II
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 II Pentax K-5 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2015-04-23 2013-06-04
Physical type 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 measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 27 11
Cross focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type 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 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.3 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
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, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
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, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lbs) 760 gr (1.68 lbs)
Physical 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 Overall score 80 82
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 14.1
DXO Low light score 1106 1235
Other
Battery life 720 photographs 980 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI90
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual Single
Pricing at release $829 $830