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Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Samsung GX-1S front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(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
Samsung GX-1S
(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
Photography Glossary

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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Samsung GX-1S

 K-3 GX-1S 
AnnouncedApril 2014January 2006Newer by 101 months
Screen sizing3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1037k210kSharper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Portrait photography camera
79
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
51
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Street photography camera
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
good high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than others (605 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography factors
Samsung GX-1S Sports photography factors
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
low battery pack (560 CIPA)
39
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-3
Travel photography with Samsung GX-1S
60
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery pack (560 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than others (605g)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Landscape photography camera
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery pack (560 CIPA)
47
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3
Vlogging with Samsung GX-1S
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax K-3 vs Samsung GX-1S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Samsung GX-1S
 Pentax K-3Samsung 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