• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Olympus E-420
  • Pentax K-3
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Pentax K-3 II
K-3 vs K-3 II
General
Model Number: E-420 K-3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $599.99 $1149.95
Street Price: $399.95 $699.00
Date Available: 2008-05-30 2013-11-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 16.0 oz (453 g)
includes batteries
43.7 oz (1,240 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 in.
(130 x 91 x 53 mm)
5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1 in.
(132 x 100 x 77 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 24.4
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.3mm x 13mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.74 microns 3.91 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Optional
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 56 80
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.5 23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.4 13.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 527 1,216
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
6016 x 4000 (24.1 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.ORF) JPEG (EXIF 2.30), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.5 7.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format:   MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Four Thirds Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
Lens: Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital smc Pentax 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC DA WR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 84mm 27 - 203mm
Focal Length (actual): 14 - 42mm 18 - 135mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 7.50x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/40 (tele)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 58.0mm 62.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 3-point TTL Phase Difference Detection, 11-point Contrast Detect in Live View mode SAFOX 11 TTL phase-matching - 27 point (25 cross type focus points in the center)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.92x mag., 14mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, ~100% coverage, 0.95x mag., TBDmm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.46x 0.63x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.92x 0.95x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 1600 (1/3EV steps) Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Custom, One-Touch Auto, Multi Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D: Daylight Color, N:Daylight White, W:Cool White, L:Warm White), Tungsten Light, Flash, CTE, Manual (up to 3 settings), Color Temperature (up to 3 settings)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 49-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot / Highlight Spot / Shadow Spot (Spot Approx. 1%) TTL open-aperture: Multi-segment with 86K-pixel RGB sensor, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, Sport, High Key, Low Key, Digital Image Stabilization, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Panorama* (* Available with the Olympus xD-Picture Card), Beach & Snow Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority; Digital filters (capture): Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Bold Monochrome; HDR: Auto, HDR1, HDR2, HDR3.
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Fill-in, Slow synchronization (1st or 2nd curtain), Manual, Off. P-TTL, Red-eye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Rear Curtain Sync. High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync also available with PENTAX dedicated external flash.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 13.0 m / 42.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens aperture Depends on lens
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive / xD SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.ORF) 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: RM-UC1 cable, RM-1 IR Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): Dedicated multi-connector; Optional Remote cable RM-UC1 is available Micro (Type D) HMDI, USB 3.0 Micro B, DC input, wired remote jack, 3.5mm external stereo mic jack, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.50 0.79
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50 0.64
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 14 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.69
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.5 7.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 13 75
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   7.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   24
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   7.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   25
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.14 seconds 0.14 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.13 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   1.01 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.226 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.110 seconds 0.097 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.16 seconds 0.33 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds 0.096 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View Full AF lag: Imager AF: 2.588s AF Sensor: 0.635s Hybrid AF: 0.711s Live View Prefocused lag: 0.569s Full AF lag, Wide-area mode, OVF = 0.157s Live View: Center mode AF lag = 1.014s Wide-area mode AF lag = 1.005s Prefocused = 0.226s
Startup Time: 0.8 seconds 0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.4 seconds 2.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 500 shots 560 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BLS-1 Proprietary D-LI90
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BLS-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary D-LI90 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: OLYMPUS Master Software CD-ROM Software CD-ROM S-SW140
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Live View with Onsreen Autofocus, Face Detection, HyperCrystal II LCD, Shadow Adjustment, Perfect Shot Preview, Dust Reduction, Wireless Flash Capability. Image stabilization system also acts as a selectable AA filter, 8.3 fps full-res burst mode, new 27-point AF system, new 86,000 pixel RGB metering system, Full HD video up to 60i with H.264 encoding, dual SD card slots, freeze-proof, dust-proof, weather-resistant magnesium alloy construction, USB 3.0 port.