Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs
58 Imaging
71 Features
86 Overall
77
![Pentax K-3 Mark III front Pentax K-3 Mark III front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-3-Mark-III/Pentax-K-3-III-front.jpg)
![Pentax K-5 IIs front Pentax K-5 IIs front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-5-IIs/Pentax-K-5-IIs-front.jpg)
60 Imaging
58 Features
83 Overall
68
Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs 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 Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
- Announced March 2021
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Released June 2013
- Earlier Model is Pentax K-5
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview
Let's examine more in depth at the Pentax K-3 III versus Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are manufactured by Pentax. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the K-3 III (26MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
The K-3 III was brought out 7 years later than the K-5 IIs and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the K-3 III grades vs the K-5 IIs when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-3 Mark III and Pentax K-5 IIs. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax K-3 III Gallery and Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Pentax K-5 IIs
K-3 III | K-5 IIs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2021 | ![]() | June 2013 | More recent by 96 months |
Display dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1620k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer display (+699k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Pentax K-3 III
K-5 IIs | K-3 III |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K-5 IIs
K-3 III | K-5 IIs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 III comes with physical dimensions of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") with a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).
Check out the Pentax K-3 III versus Pentax K-5 IIs in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the K-3 III against the K-5 IIs.
![Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-3-Mark-III-vs-Pentax-K-5-IIs-size-comparison.jpg)
Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 III and K-5 IIs is 58 and 60 respectively.
![Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-3-Mark-III-vs-Pentax-K-5-IIs-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to see the gap in sensor measurements just by researching specifications. The graphic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 III and K-5 IIs.
Plainly, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax K-3 III to result in greater detail having its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more modern K-3 III will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.
![Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-K-3-Mark-III-vs-Pentax-K-5-IIs-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-3-Mark-III-vs-Pentax-K-5-IIs-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications
Pentax K-3 Mark III | Pentax K-5 IIs | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Pentax |
Model type | Pentax K-3 Mark III | Pentax K-5 IIs |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2021-03-31 | 2013-06-04 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Prime II |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23 x 15.5mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 356.5mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 26 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 6192 x 4128 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600000 | 12800 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Min boosted ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
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 support | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 156 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3.2" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,620 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 12.0 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | 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 | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/200 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 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 All around rating | not tested | 82 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 14.1 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1208 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 photographs | 980 photographs |
Type of battery | 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 |
Card slots | Two | One |
Retail pricing | $1,999 | $749 |