• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Fujifilm X-E1 advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.91 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    687g vs 1240g
    Lighter weight

Pentax K-3 advantages over Fujifilm X-E1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1150 vs $1400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 560 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-E1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3

Review Excerpt

  • Produces superior image quality that's better than many DSLRs; Handsome and functional camera design recalls classic rangefinder models; Surprisingly good kit lens.

  • Mixed-bag operational performance, with sluggish startup and mediocre autofocus speed and shot-to-shot times; Video quality is only so-so.

  • Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control

  • AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX300

Fujifilm X-E1
Samsung NX300
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Pentax K-3
Samsung NX300
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Nikon D7100

Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D7100
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Samsung Galaxy NX

Fujifilm X-E1
Samsung Galaxy NX
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • External Mic Jack
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Pentax K-3
Samsung Galaxy NX
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Fujifilm X-E1
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • $1059
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • On-sensor phase detect
Pentax K-3
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1059
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Nikon D7200

Fujifilm X-E1
Nikon D7200
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-3
Nikon D7200
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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