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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs 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
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-5
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both built by Pentax. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-3 was brought out 11 months later than the K-5 IIs which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the K-3 matches up vs the K-5 IIs in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 K-3 K-5 IIs 
AnnouncedApril 2014June 2013More recent by 11 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)

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

 K-5 IIs K-3 

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

 K-3 K-5 IIs 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 has got external 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) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K-5 IIs in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the K-3 and the K-5 IIs.

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

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

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

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to picture the gap in sensor measurements purely by viewing technical specs. The photograph below will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and K-5 IIs.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Pentax K-3 to provide you with greater detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern K-3 should have an edge in sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
79
you can focus manually
decent MP (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
74
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography info
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography info
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
bad battery (560 shots)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3
Travel photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
60
environment proof
decent MP (24MP)
has built in flash
bad battery (560 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography advice
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
bad battery (560 CIPA)
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
saves RAW files
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Pentax K-3Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax K-5 IIs
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2014-04-10 2013-06-04
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime III Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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 data
Lowest boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 27 11
Cross focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
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 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 lbs) 760g (1.68 lbs)
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 score 80 82
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 14.1
DXO Low light score 1216 1208
Other
Battery life 560 photographs 980 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 2 One
Launch pricing $639 $749