Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-S1
59 Imaging
66 Features
84 Overall
73


69 Imaging
63 Features
70 Overall
65
Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs
(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
- Launched April 2015
- Old Model is Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
- Released August 2014
- Newer Model is Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-S1 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-S1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both created by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-3 II (24MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the same sensor size (APS-C).

The K-3 II was introduced 8 months after the K-S1 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the K-3 II matches up against the K-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-S1 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax K-S1. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-3 II Gallery and Pentax K-S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax K-S1
K-3 II | K-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2015 | ![]() | August 2014 | Newer by 8 months |
Display dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 921k | Sharper display (+116k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax K-3 II
K-S1 | K-3 II |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax K-S1
K-3 II | K-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to travel with your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 II has outside dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).
Check out the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the K-3 II compared to the K-S1.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 II and K-S1 is 59 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading a spec sheet. The image here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 II and K-S1.
As you can see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax K-3 II to offer you more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The younger K-3 II should have an edge in sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications
Pentax K-3 II | Pentax K-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Pentax |
Model | Pentax K-3 II | Pentax K-S1 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2015-04-23 | 2014-08-27 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime III | Prime MII |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 366.6mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 51200 | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | 11 |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 151 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3.2" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,037k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.3 frames per second | 5.4 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 10.00 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, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800 gr (1.76 lbs) | 558 gr (1.23 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 80 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.6 | 23.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.6 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light score | 1106 | 1061 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 720 pictures | 410 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | D-LI109 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 2 | Single |
Retail pricing | $829 | $339 |