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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Released March 2021
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-S2
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both designed by Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the K-3 III (26MP) and K-S1 (20MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-3 III was unveiled 6 years later than the K-S1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the K-3 III grades against the K-S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Pentax K-S1

 K-3 III K-S1 
IntroducedMarch 2021August 2014Fresher by 81 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k921kSharper screen (+699k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax K-3 III

 K-S1 K-3 III 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K-S1

 K-3 III K-S1 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-3 III provides exterior dimensions 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-S1 has proportions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the K-3 III versus the K-S1.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-3 III and K-S1 is 58 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by going through technical specs. The graphic here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 III and K-S1.

As you can tell, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax K-3 III to show more detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The newer K-3 III provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 III
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S1
82
has manual focus
MP count high (26MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
77
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Street photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Street photography factors
70
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
features touch focus
weather proof
good high ISO (1,600,000)
screen does not articulate
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others (558 grams)
good ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Sports photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography factors
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count high (26MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (800 per charge)
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
slow frames per second (5.4 frames/s)
not so great battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
64
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
features touch focus
MP count high (26MP)
bad battery life (800 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than others (558g)
decent megapixels (20MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (410 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography information
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography information
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count high (26 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (1,600,000)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
bad battery life (800 shots)
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
not so great battery life (410 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
35
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (558g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no mic jack
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K-S1
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIIPentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Mark III Pentax K-S1
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2021-03-31 2014-08-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 356.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 26 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6192 x 4128 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 1600000 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 101 11
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 156 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,620 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 820g (1.81 lb) 558g (1.23 lb)
Dimensions 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 800 pictures 410 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI109
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual One
Launch cost $1,999 $339