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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Announced April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Launched June 2008
  • Previous Model is Pentax K10D
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K20D Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are created by Pentax. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and K20D (15MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-3 was released 5 years after the K20D which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the K-3 scores vs the K20D in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K20D

 K-3 K20D 
LaunchedApril 2014June 2008Newer by 71 months
Display sizing3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Pentax K-3

 K20D K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K20D

 K-3 K20D 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-3 provides outer dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax K20D has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K20D in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the K-3 versus the K20D.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and K20D is 59 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions only by looking through specifications. The image here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-3 and K20D.

To sum up, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax K-3 to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger K-3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
Portrait photography with Pentax K20D
79
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
72
has manual focus
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography features
Pentax K20D Street photography features
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography info
Pentax K20D Sports photography info
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
terrible battery (560 per charge)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect AF
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography details
Pentax K20D Travel photography details
60
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery (560 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
64
environment proof
good MP (15MP)
has built in flash
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Landscape photography camera
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no low pass filter
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
terrible battery (560 per charge)
71
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging info
Pentax K20D Vlogging info
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
9
no video
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax K20D
 Pentax K-3Pentax K20D
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 Pentax K20D
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-04-10 2008-06-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 27 11
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s 1/180s
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800g (1.76 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 65
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 11.1
DXO Low light rating 1216 639
Other
Battery life 560 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots Two Single
Retail cost $639 $700