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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
58
Imaging
72
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DL2 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
  • Released March 2021
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released January 2006
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Pentax K-3 III and Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both offered by Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the K-3 III (26MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but they use the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-3 III was introduced 15 years later than the ist DL2 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the K-3 III scores versus the ist DL2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Pentax ist DL2

 K-3 III ist DL2 
ReleasedMarch 2021January 2006Fresher by 185 months
Display dimension3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1620k210kCrisper display (+1410k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Pentax K-3 III

 ist DL2 K-3 III 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 III and Pentax ist DL2

 K-3 III ist DL2 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 III has got physical dimensions of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs) and the Pentax ist DL2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-3 III and Pentax ist DL2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the K-3 III and the ist DL2.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 III and ist DL2 is 58 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching specifications. The photograph below may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 III and ist DL2.

Plainly, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can anticipate the Pentax K-3 III to result in greater detail using its extra 20MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively. The younger K-3 III should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Portrait photography camera
83
you can focus manually
megapixel count great (26 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
51
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Street photography highlights
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography highlights
71
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
environment proofing
great ISO range (1,600,000)
screen does not articulate
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (565 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3 III
Sports photography with Pentax ist DL2
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count great (26MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (800 CIPA)
39
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Travel photography features
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography features
64
environment proofing
has bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
megapixel count great (26MP)
not so great battery power (800 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than competition in class (565 grams)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography factors
80
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count great (26MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
great ISO range (1,600,000)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
not so great battery power (800 CIPA)
47
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Vlogging information
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging information
35
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
22
lighter than competition in class (565 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great ( resolution)
does not have external mic socket
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Pentax ist DL2
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIIPentax ist DL2
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 Mark III Pentax ist DL2
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2021-03-31 2006-01-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 356.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 26MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 6192 x 4128 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 1600000 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 101 5
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 156 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 1,620k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash modes 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 reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 -
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 820 gr (1.81 lb) 565 gr (1.25 lb)
Dimensions 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) SD/MMC card
Card slots Dual 1
Launch price $1,999 -