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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(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
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed December 2010
  • Older Model is Pentax K-7
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are offered by Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and K-5 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-3 was launched 3 years later than the K-5 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the K-3 grades against the K-5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-5

 K-3 K-5 
RevealedApril 2014December 2010Fresher by 41 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax K-3

 K-5 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-5

 K-3 K-5 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 has outer dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the K-3 vs the K-5.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and K-5 is 59 and 60 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over specifications. The photograph underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and K-5.

To sum up, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax K-3 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The newer K-3 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
79
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography details
Pentax K-5 Street photography details
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3
Sports photography with Pentax K-5
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery life (560 per charge)
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography information
Pentax K-5 Travel photography information
60
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (24MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery life (560 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
environment proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography features
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery life (560 shots)
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 Vlogging info
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-5
 Pentax K-3Pentax K-5
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 Pentax K-5
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-04-10 2010-12-18
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III Prime II
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 6016 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 27 11
Cross type focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lb) 740 gr (1.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 82
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 14.1
DXO Low light rating 1216 1162
Other
Battery life 560 photos 980 photos
Type 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 feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 One
Cost at launch $639 $800