Clicky

Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20

Portability
58
Imaging
72
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Samsung GX-20 front
Portability
58
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20 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
  • Announced March 2021
Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Released January 2008
  • Old Model is Samsung GX-10
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Samsung. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the K-3 III (26MP) and GX-20 (15MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The K-3 III was announced 13 years after the GX-20 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the K-3 III matches up vs the GX-20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Samsung GX-20

 K-3 III GX-20 
ReleasedMarch 2021January 2008More modern by 161 months
Screen sizing3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1620k230kClearer screen (+1390k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Pentax K-3 III

 GX-20 K-3 III 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 III and Samsung GX-20

 K-3 III GX-20 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 III has got exterior 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 Samsung GX-20 has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the K-3 III and the GX-20.

Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 III and GX-20 is 58 and 58 respectively.

Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by researching specifications. The picture below may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 III and GX-20.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Pentax K-3 III to provide you with more detail with its extra 11MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher K-3 III is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography details
Samsung GX-20 Portrait photography details
83
has manual focus
fantastic megapixels (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
72
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Street photography details
Samsung GX-20 Street photography details
71
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
has touch to focus
environment proof
good high ISO (1,600,000)
fixed screen
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Sports photography highlights
Samsung GX-20 Sports photography highlights
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (800 per charge)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Travel photography camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Travel photography camera
64
environment proof
supports bluetooth
has touch to focus
fantastic megapixels (26 megapixels)
not so great battery life (800 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
64
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-3 III
Landscape photography with Samsung GX-20
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (1,600,000)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery life (800 CIPA)
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is small (2.7")
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Vlogging highlights
Samsung GX-20 Vlogging highlights
35
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
9
lack of video recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Pentax K-3 III vs Samsung GX-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Samsung GX-20
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIISamsung GX-20
General Information
Company Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax K-3 Mark III Samsung GX-20
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2021-03-31 2008-01-24
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23 x 15.5mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 356.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 26 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest resolution 6192 x 4128 4688 x 3120
Highest native ISO 1600000 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 101 11
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 156 151
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,620k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/180s
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 -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 820 gr (1.81 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 68
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 714
Other
Battery life 800 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 -
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
Card slots 2 One
Launch pricing $1,999 $850