Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-30
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
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63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Introduced April 2014
- Successor is Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Announced October 2012
- Renewed by Pentax K-50
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-30 Overview
Here is a detailed overview of the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both of them are created by Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and K-30 (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor size (APS-C).
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The K-3 was manufactured 18 months later than the K-30 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the K-3 matches up versus the K-30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-30 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-3 & Pentax K-30. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax K-3 Gallery & Pentax K-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-30
K-3 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2014 | ![]() | October 2012 | Fresher by 18 months |
Screen dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 921k | Sharper screen (+116k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax K-3
K-30 | K-3 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-30
K-3 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 provides outside dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the K-3 and the K-30.
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Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and K-30 is 59 and 63 respectively.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through specs. The visual underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 and K-30.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Pentax K-3 to result in more detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more recent K-3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Pentax |
Model | Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-30 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2014-04-10 | 2012-10-29 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Prime III | Prime M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 12800 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | 11 |
Cross focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 151 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3.2" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 1,037k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/6000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 8.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800 grams (1.76 pounds) | 650 grams (1.43 pounds) |
Dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 80 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.4 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light score | 1216 | 1129 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 560 photographs | 410 photographs |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | D-LI109,4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Dual | Single |
Launch cost | $639 | $525 |