Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-r
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
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67 Imaging
53 Features
52 Overall
52
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-r 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 Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Announced April 2014
- Newer Model is Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
- Announced March 2011
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-r Overview
Lets look a bit more in depth at the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-r, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are manufactured by Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and K-r (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).
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The K-3 was unveiled 3 years after the K-r which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a brief summation of how the K-3 matches up vs the K-r in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-r Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-3 & Pentax K-r. The full galleries are provided at Pentax K-3 Gallery & Pentax K-r Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-r
K-3 | K-r | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2014 | ![]() | March 2011 | Newer by 38 months |
Screen dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 921k | Sharper screen (+116k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Pentax K-3
K-r | K-3 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-r
K-3 | K-r | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-3 features physical 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-r has proportions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-r in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the K-3 and the K-r.
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Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and K-r is 59 and 67 respectively.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions only by seeing technical specs. The image below might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 and K-r.
As you can tell, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax K-3 to show extra detail having an extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The younger K-3 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-r 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-r Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-r | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Pentax |
Model | Pentax K-3 | Pentax K-r |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Announced | 2014-04-10 | 2011-03-11 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Prime III | Prime II |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor area | 366.6mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 4288 x 2848 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 12800 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | 11 |
Cross focus points | 25 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 151 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 96% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.57x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0 frames per second | 6.0 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) | 12.00 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, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/180s | 1/180s |
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) | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800 grams (1.76 pounds) | 598 grams (1.32 pounds) |
Dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 80 | 72 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.7 | 22.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.4 | 12.4 |
DXO Low light score | 1216 | 755 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 560 photos | 470 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI90 | D-LI109,4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | Dual | 1 |
Launch pricing | $639 | $1,100 |