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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-x

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-x 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Old Model is Pentax K-3
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released December 2009
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-x Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-x, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both manufactured by Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and K-x (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was introduced 5 years after the K-x which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the K-3 II matches up against the K-x when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 K-3 II K-x 
ReleasedApril 2015December 2009More modern by 65 months
Screen size3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)

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

 K-x K-3 II 

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

 K-3 II K-x 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

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

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 II offers external measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Pentax K-x has specifications of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-x in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the K-3 II compared to the K-x.

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

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 II and K-x is 59 and 69 respectively.

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

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

Usually, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes simply by going over a spec sheet. The image here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 II and K-x.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should count on the Pentax K-3 II to deliver extra detail using its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent K-3 II provides an advantage in sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
79
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-3 II
Street photography with Pentax K-x
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-x Sports photography highlights
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
bad battery pack (720 CIPA)
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (1,900 per charge)
has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography features
Pentax K-x Travel photography features
56
weather proof
good MP (24MP)
bad battery pack (720 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
54
great battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-x Landscape photography factors
78
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
bad battery pack (720 shots)
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-x as a Vlogging camera
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax K-x
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax K-x
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 II Pentax K-x
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2015-04-23 2009-12-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
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 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.3 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 16.00 m
Flash modes 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, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 grams (1.76 pounds) 580 grams (1.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 72
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 12.5
DXO Low light score 1106 811
Other
Battery life 720 images 1900 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 2 1
Pricing at release $829 $600