Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10
59 Imaging
66 Features
84 Overall
73


92 Imaging
36 Features
56 Overall
44
Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)

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.

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.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-3 II & Pentax Q10. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax K-3 II Gallery & Pentax Q10 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax Q10
K-3 II | Q10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2015 | ![]() | September 2012 | Fresher by 32 months |
Screen size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax Q10 Specifications
Pentax K-3 II | Pentax 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 |