Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 II
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
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60 Imaging
57 Features
82 Overall
67
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 II 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 Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Announced April 2014
- Updated by Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Launched June 2013
- Replaced the Pentax K-5
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview
Let's take a closer look at the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K-5 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both of them are built by Pentax. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and K-5 II (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (APS-C).
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The K-3 was introduced 11 months after the K-5 II and they are of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the K-3 matches up vs the K-5 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 II Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-3 & Pentax K-5 II. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-3 Gallery & Pentax K-5 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-5 II
K-3 | K-5 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2014 | ![]() | June 2013 | More modern by 11 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 921k | Crisper screen (+116k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Pentax K-3
K-5 II | K-3 |
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Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-5 II
K-3 | K-5 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 features outer measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K-5 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the K-3 and the K-5 II.
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Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and K-5 II is 59 and 60 respectively.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes only by seeing specs. The image below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 and K-5 II.
All in all, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Pentax K-3 to provide more detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern K-3 provides an edge in sensor technology.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 II 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-5 II Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-5 II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Pentax |
Model type | Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-5 II |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2014-04-10 | 2013-06-04 |
Physical type | 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 area | 366.6mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 16MP |
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 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
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 | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 1,037 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen 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 | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
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 | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180s | - |
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 800 gr (1.76 pounds) | 760 gr (1.68 pounds) |
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 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.4 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 1216 | 1235 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 560 shots | 980 shots |
Battery style | 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 | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Dual | One |
Launch cost | $639 | $830 |