Pentax K-3 II vs Phase One XF 100MP

Cameras
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Pentax K-3 II vs Phase One XF 100MP

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 II.
Compare Pentax K-3 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 II conclusion.

Medium format 2,169.5mm²
101.1 megapixels
ISO 50 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Phase One XF 100MP Review.
How does it shoot? Phase One XF 100MP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the XF 100MP.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 III
Compare K-3 II vs K-3 III
Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Phase One XF 100MP

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Differences

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Phase One XF 100MP

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 10.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
77 mm vs 160 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
785g vs 2196g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.33 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
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
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster RAW shooting
8.2 fps vs 0.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Phase One XF 100MP advantages over Pentax K-3 II

Larger sensor
Medium format vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.63 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More pixels
101.1 vs 24.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
3600 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 22 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read K-3 II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots
No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors
Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Phase One XF 100MP, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Phase One XF 100MP Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Pentax 645Z

Pentax K-3 II

Pentax 645Z

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$4845
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax 645Z

Phase One XF 100MP

Pentax 645Z

$48990
Medium format

Larger sensor
Touchscreen

$4845
Medium format

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Pentax 645Z

Compared to Leica S (Typ 007)

Pentax K-3 II

Leica S (Typ 007)

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$19995
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Leica S (Typ 007)

Phase One XF 100MP

Leica S (Typ 007)

$48990
Medium format

Larger sensor
Touchscreen

$19995
Medium format

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Leica S (Typ 007)

Compared to Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Phase One XF 100MP

Canon T6i

$48990
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Phase One XF 100MP

Pentax KP

$48990
Medium format

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T7i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T7i

Phase One XF 100MP

Canon T7i

$48990
Medium format

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Canon T7i

Compare Other Cameras?