Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs
59 Imaging
64 Features
85 Overall
72
60 Imaging
57 Features
83 Overall
67
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs 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
- Released April 2014
- Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
(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
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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).
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe 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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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-3 & Pentax K-5 IIs. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax K-3 Gallery & Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-5 IIs
| K-3 | K-5 IIs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | April 2014 | June 2013 | More recent 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 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 type | Fixed | 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.
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.

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