Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-r
59 Imaging
65 Features
84 Overall
72
67 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
52
Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-r Key Specs
(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
(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
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide 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).
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe 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.
Photography Glossary Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-r Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-3 II & Pentax K-r. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax K-3 II Gallery & Pentax K-r Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax K-r
| K-3 II | K-r | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | April 2015 | March 2011 | Newer by 51 months | |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 921k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | 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.
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.

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