Pentax K-3 vs Pentax I-10
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73


93 Imaging
35 Features
24 Overall
30
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax I-10 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
- Launched April 2014
- Updated by Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 153g - 101 x 65 x 28mm
- Released January 2010

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax I-10 Overview
Its time to examine more closely at the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax I-10, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and I-10 (12MP) and the K-3 (APS-C) and I-10 (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

The K-3 was introduced 4 years after the I-10 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax I-10 being a Compact camera.
Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short overview of how the K-3 scores vs the I-10 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax I-10 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K-3 & Pentax Optio I-10. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-3 Gallery & Pentax I-10 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax I-10
K-3 | I-10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2014 | ![]() | January 2010 | More modern by 52 months |
Display dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+807k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax I-10 over the Pentax K-3
I-10 | K-3 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax I-10
K-3 | I-10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax I-10 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 has got 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) and the Pentax I-10 has dimensions of 101mm x 65mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 153 grams (0.34 lbs).
See the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax I-10 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the K-3 versus the I-10.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and I-10 is 59 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax I-10 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes only by checking a spec sheet. The picture here may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and I-10.
Clearly, the 2 cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-3 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax K-3 will give extra detail using its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos much more aggressively. The more recent K-3 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax I-10 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax I-10 Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Pentax Optio I-10 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Pentax |
Model | Pentax K-3 | Pentax Optio I-10 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2014-04-10 | 2010-01-25 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Prime III | Prime |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | - | f/3.5-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 10cm |
Total lenses | 151 | - |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3.2" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | 4.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | - |
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800g (1.76 pounds) | 153g (0.34 pounds) |
Dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 101 x 65 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
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 images | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI90 | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Two | One |
Launch pricing | $639 | $310 |