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Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S

Portability
59
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Samsung GX-1S front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S 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
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-3
Samsung GX-1S
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced January 2006
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Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Samsung. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and GX-1S (6MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was announced 9 years after the GX-1S which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a simple summary of how the K-3 II grades versus the GX-1S when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Samsung GX-1S

 K-3 II GX-1S 
AnnouncedApril 2015January 2006Newer by 113 months
Screen sizing3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1037k210kSharper screen (+827k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-1S over the Pentax K-3 II

 GX-1S K-3 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Samsung GX-1S

 K-3 II GX-1S 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 II has exterior measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Samsung GX-1S has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the K-3 II compared to the GX-1S.

Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 II and GX-1S is 59 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching specifications. The pic below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 II and GX-1S.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Pentax K-3 II to provide you with more detail with its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger K-3 II provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 II
Portrait photography with Samsung GX-1S
80
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
51
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Street photography camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Street photography camera
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors (605 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
Sports photography with Samsung GX-1S
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (720 per charge)
39
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Travel photography advice
Samsung GX-1S Travel photography advice
57
weather sealing
good MP (24 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (720 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competitors (605 grams)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography highlights
Samsung GX-1S Landscape photography highlights
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
not so great battery pack (720 shots)
47
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung GX-1S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Samsung GX-1S
 Pentax K-3 IISamsung GX-1S
General Information
Make Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax K-3 II Samsung GX-1S
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2015-04-23 2006-01-16
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 6016 x 4000 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 27 11
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Total lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.3fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
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 reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lbs) 605 gr (1.33 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1106 not tested
Other
Battery life 720 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots Two Single
Price at launch $829 $850