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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-3 II
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both built by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the K-3 II (24MP) is very close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-3 was announced 12 months prior to the K-3 II and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the K-3 grades against the K-3 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-3 II

 K-3 K-3 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax K-3

 K-3 II K-3 
AnnouncedApril 2015April 2014Newer by 12 months

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-3 II

 K-3 K-3 II 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3.2"3.2"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution1037k1037kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 comes with outside measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the K-3 and the K-3 II.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and K-3 II is 59 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through specs. The picture underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 and K-3 II.

All in all, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of photos but you need to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged K-3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography features
79
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
80
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Street photography advice
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography factors
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
terrible battery power (560 CIPA)
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery pack (720 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Travel photography camera
60
environment proof
good MP (24MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (560 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
57
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (24MP)
bad battery pack (720 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography factors
78
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
terrible battery power (560 per charge)
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
bad battery pack (720 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone socket
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-3 II
 Pentax K-3Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 Pentax K-3 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2014-04-10 2015-04-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 27 27
Cross type focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per sec 8.3 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800g (1.76 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 80
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 13.6
DXO Low light rating 1216 1106
Other
Battery life 560 shots 720 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI90
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two Two
Launch price $639 $829