Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-30
58 Imaging
70 Features
86 Overall
76
63 Imaging
56 Features
66 Overall
60
Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 26MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600000
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
- Launched March 2021
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Introduced October 2012
- Replacement is Pentax K-50
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Let's look more closely at the Pentax K-3 III versus Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are manufactured by Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-3 III (26MP) and K-30 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (APS-C).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe K-3 III was brought out 8 years after the K-30 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the K-3 III matches up against the K-30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-3 Mark III & Pentax K-30. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax K-3 III Gallery & Pentax K-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Pentax K-30
| K-3 III | K-30 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | March 2021 | October 2012 | More modern by 103 months | |
| Display dimensions | 3.2" | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") | |
| Display resolution | 1620k | 921k | Sharper display (+699k dot) | |
| Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax K-3 III
| K-30 | K-3 III |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K-30
| K-3 III | K-30 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very accurate focusing | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Selfie screen | Lack of selfie screen |
Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-3 III has got exterior measurements of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") having a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax K-3 III versus Pentax K-30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the K-3 III vs the K-30.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 III and K-30 is 58 and 63 respectively.
Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at specs. The pic below will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 III and K-30.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Pentax K-3 III to give you greater detail having its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The fresher K-3 III is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.
Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-30 Specifications
| Pentax K-3 Mark III | Pentax K-30 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Pentax | Pentax |
| Model | Pentax K-3 Mark III | Pentax K-30 |
| Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
| Launched | 2021-03-31 | 2012-10-29 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Prime M |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 23 x 15.5mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor area | 356.5mm² | 372.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 26 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Highest resolution | 6192 x 4128 | 4928 x 3264 |
| Highest native ISO | 1600000 | 12800 |
| Highest boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 101 | 11 |
| Cross focus points | 25 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
| Amount of lenses | 156 | 151 |
| Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 1,620k dots | 921k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Display tech | - | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.61x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 12.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash modes | Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | Optional |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 820 gr (1.81 lbs) | 650 gr (1.43 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 79 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.0 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 1129 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 800 shots | 410 shots |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | D-LI90 | D-LI109,4 x AA |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | Dual | 1 |
| Retail price | $1,999 | $525 |