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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Announced March 2021
Pentax K-5 IIs
(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
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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).

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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.

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

 K-3 III K-5 IIs 
ReleasedMarch 2021June 2013More recent by 96 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k921kClearer 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 typeFixed 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

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

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography information
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography information
82
manual focus
megapixel count great (26 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Street photography camera
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
provides touch to focus
environment proofing
very good high ISO (1,600,000)
screen does not articulate
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Sports photography info
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography info
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count great (26MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (800 shots)
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Travel photography camera
64
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
megapixel count great (26 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (800 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proof
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography details
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count great (26 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (1,600,000)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery pack (800 per charge)
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
exports RAW formats
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3 III
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 IIs
35
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIIPentax 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