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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Released April 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-3 II
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Revealed December 2009
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Following is a complete analysis of the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both built by Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and K-x (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The K-3 was announced 4 years after the K-x which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summary of how the K-3 scores against the K-x in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 K-3 K-x 
RevealedApril 2014December 2009More modern by 53 months
Screen dimension3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)

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

 K-x K-3 

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

 K-3 K-x 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 comes with external 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-x has dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the K-3 compared to the K-x.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

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

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

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 and K-x.

As you can see, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax K-3 to offer more detail with its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The fresher K-3 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-x Portrait photography advice
79
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
63
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography features
Pentax K-x Street photography features
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
low battery life (560 CIPA)
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (1,900 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3
Travel photography with Pentax K-x
60
weather proofing
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery life (560 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly display
54
better than average battery life (1,900 CIPA)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Landscape photography camera
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery life (560 per charge)
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (1,900 per charge)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-x Vlogging factors
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-x
 Pentax K-3Pentax K-x
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax K-x
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-04-10 2009-12-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime III Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 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 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 27 11
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 16.00 m
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, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s 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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lbs) 580 grams (1.28 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 72
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 12.5
DXO Low light score 1216 811
Other
Battery life 560 photographs 1900 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Dual One
Retail price $639 $600