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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP

Portability
58
Imaging
72
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
68
Features
76
Overall
71

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Revealed March 2021
Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Launched January 2017
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Pentax K-3 III versus Pentax KP, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both sold by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-3 III (26MP) and the KP (24MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-3 III was released 4 years later than the KP and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the K-3 III grades versus the KP in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 K-3 III KP 
LaunchedMarch 2021January 2017More recent by 51 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k921kSharper display (+699k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

 KP K-3 III 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

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

 K-3 III KP 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 III offers external 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 KP has dimensions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

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

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the K-3 III against the KP.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 III and KP is 58 and 61 respectively.

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

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 III and KP.

Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax K-3 III to give you extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more modern K-3 III provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography details
Pentax KP Portrait photography details
83
you can focus manually
great megapixels (26 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
80
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Street photography details
Pentax KP Street photography details
71
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch to focus
environment proof
above average high ISO (1,600,000)
screen is fixed
76
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
above average ISO range (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Sports photography camera
Pentax KP as a Sports photography camera
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (26 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery life (800 per charge)
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
silent mode (1/24,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
not so great battery power (390 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Travel photography camera
Pentax KP as a Travel photography camera
64
environment proof
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
great megapixels (26MP)
not so great battery life (800 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly display
62
environment proof
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery power (390 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-3 III
Landscape photography with Pentax KP
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (26 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (1,600,000)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
not so great battery life (800 per charge)
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (819,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
not so great battery power (390 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3 III
Vlogging with Pentax KP
35
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Pentax KP
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIIPentax KP
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 Mark III Pentax KP
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2021-03-31 2017-01-26
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 356.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 26MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 6192 x 4128 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600000 819200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 101 27
Cross type focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 156 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,620 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.63x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/24000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 12.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 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, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60i, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 820 gr (1.81 lb) 703 gr (1.55 lb)
Dimensions 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 800 photos 390 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI109
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Card slots Two 1
Price at launch $1,999 $747