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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-r

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-r 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-3
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-r Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-r, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are created by Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and K-r (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was revealed 4 years after the K-r which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summation of how the K-3 II scores vs the K-r with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 K-3 II K-r 
IntroducedApril 2015March 2011Newer by 51 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)

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

 K-r K-3 II 

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

 K-3 II K-r 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

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

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 II comes with exterior measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Pentax K-r has measurements of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-r in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the K-3 II and the K-r.

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

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 II and K-r is 59 and 67 respectively.

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

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

Typically, it can be difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 II and K-r.

As you have seen, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Pentax K-3 II to provide greater detail because of its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The fresher K-3 II is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-r Portrait photography highlights
79
focusing manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-3 II
Street photography with Pentax K-r
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography features
Pentax K-r Sports photography features
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (720 shots)
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery life (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography details
Pentax K-r Travel photography details
56
environment proofing
MP count good (24MP)
low battery pack (720 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
47
flash built-in
terrible battery life (470 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography info
Pentax K-r Landscape photography info
78
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
low battery pack (720 per charge)
65
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (470 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-r as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax K-r
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax K-r
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 II Pentax K-r
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2015-04-23 2011-03-11
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 27 11
Cross focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.3fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 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, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 lbs) 598g (1.32 lbs)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 72
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 12.4
DXO Low light score 1106 755
Other
Battery life 720 shots 470 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots Dual Single
Cost at release $829 $1,100