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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Pentax K-3 III
(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
  • Revealed March 2021
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-5
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Pentax K-3 III versus Pentax K-5 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both offered by Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the K-3 III (26MP) and K-5 II (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-3 III was introduced 7 years later than the K-5 II and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a full comparison, below is a simple overview of how the K-3 III matches up versus the K-5 II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Pentax K-5 II

 K-3 III K-5 II 
ReleasedMarch 2021June 2013Fresher by 96 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k921kClearer screen (+699k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Pentax K-3 III

 K-5 II K-3 III 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K-5 II

 K-3 III K-5 II 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 III provides physical measurements of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-3 III versus Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the K-3 III compared to the K-5 II.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-3 III and K-5 II is 58 and 60 respectively.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by going over specifications. The photograph below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 III and K-5 II.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should expect the Pentax K-3 III to offer greater detail using its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger K-3 III provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography highlights
82
has manual focus
sensor resolution is high (26MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Street photography camera
70
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
has touch focus
weather sealing
very good ISO range (1,600,000)
no articulating screen
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Sports photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography factors
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is high (26 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (800 shots)
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography details
64
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
has touch focus
sensor resolution is high (26MP)
terrible battery power (800 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
environment proof
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography advice
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is high (26MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (1,600,000)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
terrible battery power (800 per charge)
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3 III
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 II
35
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic jack
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K-5 II
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIIPentax K-5 II
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 Mark III Pentax K-5 II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2021-03-31 2013-06-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23 x 15.5mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 356.5mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 26 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6192 x 4128 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600000 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 101 11
Cross type focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 156 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,620k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs -
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 820 gr (1.81 lb) 760 gr (1.68 lb)
Dimensions 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 800 photographs 980 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two Single
Retail pricing $1,999 $830