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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 IIs 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
  • Released April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-5
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Pentax K-3 II versus Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both created by Pentax. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was announced 23 months later than the K-5 IIs making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the K-3 II grades vs the K-5 IIs in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 K-3 II K-5 IIs 
ReleasedApril 2015June 2013Fresher by 23 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k921kClearer display (+116k dot)

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

 K-5 IIs K-3 II 

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

 K-3 II K-5 IIs 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

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

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to factor 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") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 IIs has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-3 II versus Pentax K-5 IIs in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the K-3 II compared to the K-5 IIs.

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

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 II and K-5 IIs is 59 and 60 respectively.

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

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

Quite often, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The graphic below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 II and K-5 IIs.

Clearly, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax K-3 II to offer greater detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The younger K-3 II will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 II
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
79
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography features
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
terrible battery (720 CIPA)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography features
56
weather proof
megapixel count decent (24MP)
terrible battery (720 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
environment proof
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography factors
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (720 per charge)
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
supports RAW formats
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging highlights
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 II Pentax K-5 IIs
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2015-04-23 2013-06-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 27 11
Cross type focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.3fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 gr (1.76 pounds) 760 gr (1.68 pounds)
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 rating 80 82
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 14.1
DXO Low light rating 1106 1208
Other
Battery life 720 pictures 980 pictures
Battery format 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 Single
Cost at release $829 $749