Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S
59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73


68 Imaging
44 Features
36 Overall
40
Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S 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 Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Revealed April 2014
- Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200
- No Video
- Pentax KAF Mount
- 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
- Announced January 2006

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S Overview
The following is a in-depth analysis of the Pentax K-3 versus Samsung GX-1S, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Samsung. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and GX-1S (6MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

The K-3 was launched 8 years after the GX-1S which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the K-3 scores against the GX-1S with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-3 & Samsung GX-1S. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax K-3 Gallery & Samsung GX-1S Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Samsung GX-1S
K-3 | GX-1S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2014 | ![]() | January 2006 | Newer by 101 months |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.7") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 210k | Sharper screen (+827k dot) |
Reasons to pick Samsung GX-1S over the Pentax K-3
GX-1S | K-3 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Samsung GX-1S
K-3 | GX-1S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S Physical Comparison
When you are looking to travel with your camera, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 offers outer dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Samsung GX-1S has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).
Check out the Pentax K-3 versus Samsung GX-1S in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the K-3 versus the GX-1S.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and GX-1S is 59 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The pic here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and GX-1S.
All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Pentax K-3 to deliver more detail utilizing its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer K-3 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S Specifications
Pentax K-3 | Samsung GX-1S | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Samsung |
Model | Pentax K-3 | Samsung GX-1S |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2014-04-10 | 2006-01-16 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Prime III | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 366.6mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 6 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 6016 x 4000 | 3008 x 2008 |
Max native ISO | 51200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 27 | 11 |
Cross focus points | 25 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF |
Amount of lenses | 151 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3.2 inch | 2.5 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,037 thousand dot | 210 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 8.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 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, On, Off, Red-eye reduction |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180 seconds | 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) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800 grams (1.76 lbs) | 605 grams (1.33 lbs) |
Dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") | 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI90 | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC card |
Storage slots | 2 | 1 |
Launch price | $639 | $850 |