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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax Q10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 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
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Older Model is Pentax Q
  • Replacement is Pentax Q7
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are offered by Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and Q10 (12MP) and the K-3 II (APS-C) and Q10 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-3 II was introduced 2 years later than the Q10 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short view of how the K-3 II matches up versus the Q10 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax Q10

 K-3 II Q10 
ReleasedApril 2015September 2012Fresher by 32 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Pentax K-3 II

 Q10 K-3 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax Q10

 K-3 II Q10 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-3 II has external dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax Q10 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-3 II versus the Q10.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 II and Q10 is 59 and 92 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 II and Q10.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-3 II using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-3 II will deliver extra detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The younger K-3 II is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q10 Portrait photography highlights
79
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW files
48
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Street photography advice
Pentax Q10 Street photography advice
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than average (200 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography info
Pentax Q10 Sports photography info
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (720 per charge)
36
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (270 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q10 Travel photography highlights
56
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (24MP)
low battery pack (720 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than average (200g)
flash built-in
not so great battery pack (270 per charge)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Landscape photography camera
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
low battery pack (720 per charge)
54
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (270 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Vlogging details
Pentax Q10 Vlogging details
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (200 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone jack
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax Q10
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax Q10
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 II Pentax Q10
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2015-04-23 2012-09-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6016 x 4000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 27 25
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Total lenses 151 8
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.3fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.00 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, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/2000 seconds
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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 800g (1.76 pounds) 200g (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 49
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 21.1
DXO Dynamic range score 13.6 10.9
DXO Low light score 1106 183
Other
Battery life 720 photographs 270 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI68
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual 1
Cost at release $829 $350