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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Portability
59
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
68
Features
76
Overall
71

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP 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
  • Announced April 2015
  • Superseded the Pentax K-3
Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Launched January 2017
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP Overview

The following is a in-depth comparison of the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both of them are designed by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-3 II (24MP) and the KP (24MP) is relatively comparable and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was introduced 21 months before the KP which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the K-3 II grades against the KP in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 K-3 II KP 
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)

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

 KP K-3 II 
LaunchedJanuary 2017April 2015Newer by 21 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

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

 K-3 II KP 
Manually focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 II features external 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) and the Pentax KP has sizing of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") and a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the K-3 II and the KP.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 II and KP is 59 and 61 respectively.

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

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions purely by checking out a spec sheet. The pic here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 II and KP.

As you can see, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of pictures but you should consider the age of the cameras into account. The more aged K-3 II will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 II
Portrait photography with Pentax KP
80
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
80
manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography features
Pentax KP Street photography features
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
76
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
good high ISO (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography factors
Pentax KP Sports photography factors
77
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery life (720 shots)
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
quiet shutter (1/24,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
low battery power (390 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography advice
Pentax KP Travel photography advice
57
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
bad battery life (720 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
62
environment proof
resolution is good (24MP)
flash built-in
low battery power (390 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography advice
Pentax KP Landscape photography advice
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
bad battery life (720 shots)
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW files
environment proof
low battery power (390 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Vlogging factors
Pentax KP Vlogging factors
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax KP
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax KP
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 II Pentax KP
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2015-04-23 2017-01-26
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III PRIME IV
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 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 6016 x 4000 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 51200 819200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 27 27
Cross focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.63x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/24000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 8.3 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 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 w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lbs) 703 grams (1.55 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 1106 not tested
Other
Battery life 720 shots 390 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots Dual 1
Retail price $829 $747