Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
69 Imaging
52 Features
47 Overall
50
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs
(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
(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
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 GlossaryThe 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.
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-x. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K-3 Gallery and Pentax K-x Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-x
K-3 | K-x | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2014 | December 2009 | More modern by 53 months | |
Screen dimension | 3.2" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
Screen resolution | 1037k | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | 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.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.
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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-x Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Pentax 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 |