Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
![Pentax K-3 front Pentax K-3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-3/Pentax-K-3-front.jpg)
![Pentax K-3 Mark III front Pentax K-3 Mark III front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-3-Mark-III/Pentax-K-3-III-front.jpg)
58 Imaging
72 Features
86 Overall
77
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Released April 2014
- Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 26MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- 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
- Released March 2021
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are built by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the K-3 III (26MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
The K-3 was brought out 8 years earlier than the K-3 III and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the K-3 matches up against the K-3 III with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-3 Mark III. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax K-3 Gallery and Pentax K-3 III Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-3 III
K-3 | K-3 III |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Pentax K-3
K-3 III | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2021 | ![]() | April 2014 | More recent by 84 months |
Display resolution | 1620k | ![]() | 1037k | Clearer display (+583k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-3 III
K-3 | K-3 III | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3.2" | Identical display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison
If you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-3 comes with exterior measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 III has proportions of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).
See the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K-3 III in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the K-3 vs the K-3 III.
![Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-3-vs-Pentax-K-3-Mark-III-size-comparison.jpg)
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and K-3 III is 59 and 58 respectively.
![Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III top view buttons comparison Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-3-vs-Pentax-K-3-Mark-III-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 and K-3 III.
As you can see, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax K-3 III to resolve greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older K-3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.
![Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-K-3-vs-Pentax-K-3-Mark-III-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-3-vs-Pentax-K-3-Mark-III-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-3 Mark III | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Pentax |
Model | Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2014-04-10 | 2021-03-31 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Prime III | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23 x 15.5mm |
Sensor area | 366.6mm² | 356.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 26MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 6192 x 4128 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 1600000 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | 101 |
Cross focus points | 25 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Number of lenses | 151 | 156 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.6 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3.2 inches | 3.2 inches |
Display resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 1,620 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.0 frames per second | 12.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | 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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/200 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) | 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 | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800g (1.76 lbs) | 820g (1.81 lbs) |
Dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 80 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 1216 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 560 images | 800 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) |
Card slots | 2 | 2 |
Retail price | $639 | $1,999 |