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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax KP

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
68
Features
76
Overall
71

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax KP 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
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Introduced January 2017
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax KP Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax KP, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are created by Pentax. The resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the KP (24MP) is relatively close and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-3 was announced 3 years earlier than the KP and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise overview of how the K-3 scores vs the KP for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax KP

 K-3 KP 
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Pentax K-3

 KP K-3 
IntroducedJanuary 2017April 2014Fresher by 34 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP

 K-3 KP 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-3 has exterior dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax KP has proportions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") along with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax KP in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the K-3 against the KP.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax KP size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K-3 and KP is 59 and 61 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing technical specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and KP.

As you have seen, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of photographs but you will need to take the age of the cameras into account. The older K-3 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax KP as a Portrait photography camera
79
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
80
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-3
Street photography with Pentax KP
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
76
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
good ISO range (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography factors
Pentax KP Sports photography factors
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery life (560 CIPA)
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/24,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
terrible battery power (390 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography features
Pentax KP Travel photography features
60
weather proof
MP count decent (24MP)
has built in flash
bad battery life (560 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
62
weather proofing
good resolution (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery power (390 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
Pentax KP Landscape photography information
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
bad battery life (560 per charge)
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (819,200)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
terrible battery power (390 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax KP as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic port
does not have selfie friendly screen
35
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP
 Pentax K-3Pentax KP
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax KP
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-04-10 2017-01-26
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime III PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 6016 x 4000 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 819200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 27 27
Cross focus points 25 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.63x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/24000s
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 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 w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lbs) 703 grams (1.55 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1216 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 pictures 390 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots 2 One
Retail pricing $639 $747