• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax K-3
  • Pentax K-3 II
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Pentax K-3
K-3 vs K-3 II
Successor: Pentax K-3 II
K-3 vs K-3 II
Pentax K-3 III
K-3 II vs K-3 III
General
Model Number: K-3 K-3 II
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1149.95 $850.00
Street Price: $699.00 $829.99
Date Available: 2013-11-01 2015-05-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 43.7 oz (1,240 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
27.7 oz (785 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1 in.
(132 x 100 x 77 mm)
5.2 x 4.0 x 3.1 in.
(132 x 102 x 77 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 24.4 24.4
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.91 microns 3.91 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Optional Optional
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 80 80
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.7 23.6
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.4 13.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,216 1,106
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 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)
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 2.30), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.30), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 7.1 8.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
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 MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3) Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
Lens: smc Pentax 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC DA WR n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 203mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 135mm  
Zoom Ratio: 7.50x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/40 (tele)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 62.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom:
Digital Zoom Values:    
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: SAFOX 11 TTL phase-matching - 27 point (25 cross type focus points in the center) 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; eye-level pentaprism, ~100% coverage, 0.95x mag., TBDmm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.5 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, ~100% coverage, 0.95x mag., TBDmm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.63x 0.63x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.95x 0.95x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px) 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: 16.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 51200 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps) Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: 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) 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: 1/8000 - 30 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: TTL open-aperture: Multi-segment with 86K-pixel RGB sensor, Center-weighted, Spot 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: 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. 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; Pixel Shift Resolution (On/Off)
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No 24.0 megapixels
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: P-TTL, Red-eye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Rear Curtain Sync. High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync also available with PENTAX dedicated external flash. P-TTL; Modes available depends on external flash mounted
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 13.0 m / 42.7 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record 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 Yes
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes Yes
External Connections: USB 3.0 Super Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wired or IR Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): 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 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): 0.79 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.64  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.69 0.60
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 7.1 8.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 75 60
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1 8.2
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 24 22
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 7.1 8.2
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 25 23
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.14 seconds 0.14 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 1.01 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.226 seconds 0.274 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.097 seconds 0.094 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.33 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.096 seconds 0.090 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): 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: 0.9 seconds 1.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.6 seconds 0.5 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 560 shots 720 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary D-LI90 Proprietary D-LI90
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary D-LI90 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 Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM S-SW140 Software CD-ROM includes Digital Camera Utility 5
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 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. Improved sensor-shift shake reduction (up to 4.5 stops), new Pixel Shift Resolution mode (4-shot composite provides full color information at each pixel and reduces noise), built-in GPS with ASTROTRACER and electronic compass.