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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K-S1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both created by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-3 was revealed 4 months before the K-S1 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the K-3 scores against the K-S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-S1

 K-3 K-S1 
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax K-3

 K-S1 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-S1

 K-3 K-S1 
RevealedApril 2014August 2014Similar age
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 enjoys external measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S1 has specifications of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the K-3 vs the K-S1.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and K-S1 is 59 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes merely by going over technical specs. The pic here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 and K-S1.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax K-3 to offer extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography advice
79
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
78
manual focus
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Street photography highlights
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
above average ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3
Sports photography with Pentax K-S1
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery (560 per charge)
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.4 fps)
low battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
60
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
bad battery (560 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
60
lighter than competition in class (558g)
good MP (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery life (410 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography information
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
bad battery (560 CIPA)
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
low battery life (410 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3
Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing external mic socket
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-S1
 Pentax K-3Pentax K-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax K-S1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-04-10 2014-08-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 6016 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 51200 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 27 11
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 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, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 lb) 558g (1.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 78
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 13.0
DXO Low light score 1216 1061
Other
Battery life 560 images 410 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two 1
Pricing at release $639 $339