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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K20D

Portability
58
Imaging
72
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Revealed March 2021
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Launched June 2008
  • Replaced the Pentax K10D
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K20D Overview

Its time to look closer at the Pentax K-3 III versus Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are produced by Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the K-3 III (26MP) and K20D (15MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-3 III was launched 12 years later than the K20D and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the K-3 III matches up versus the K20D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Pentax K20D

 K-3 III K20D 
LaunchedMarch 2021June 2008More recent by 156 months
Screen size3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1620k230kClearer screen (+1390k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Pentax K-3 III

 K20D K-3 III 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K20D

 K-3 III K20D 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 III has exterior measurements of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") along with a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs) and the Pentax K20D has dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-3 III versus Pentax K20D in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the K-3 III compared to the K20D.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 III and K20D is 58 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor measurements simply by checking specifications. The graphic underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 III and K20D.

To sum up, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax K-3 III to resolve more detail utilizing its extra 11MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern K-3 III is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography features
Pentax K20D Portrait photography features
83
you can focus manually
resolution is high (26MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
72
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Street photography advice
Pentax K20D Street photography advice
71
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
weather proof
good high ISO (1,600,000)
no moving screen
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Sports photography details
Pentax K20D Sports photography details
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is high (26 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery life (800 per charge)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Travel photography camera
64
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
resolution is high (26 megapixels)
terrible battery life (800 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly display
64
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography info
Pentax K20D Landscape photography info
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is high (26MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
good high ISO (1,600,000)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
terrible battery life (800 per charge)
71
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
small screen (2.7 inches)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Vlogging advice
Pentax K20D Vlogging advice
35
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly display
9
no video recording
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K20D
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIIPentax K20D
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 Mark III Pentax K20D
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2021-03-31 2008-06-25
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23 x 15.5mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 356.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 26 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6192 x 4128 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 1600000 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 101 11
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 156 151
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 2.7"
Screen resolution 1,620 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
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 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, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 820 grams (1.81 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 800 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots Two 1
Price at release $1,999 $700