Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-3 III

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

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

APS-C 361.2mm²
25.7 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1,600,000

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 III.

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Pentax K-3

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

800 vs 560 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
3 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
540k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More AF points
101 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1600000 vs 51200 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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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 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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Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 20-40mm F2.8-4 Lens
Kit with 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens

All K-3 III Deals

Review Excerpt

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
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-3 III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-3 III First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$695
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D7100

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$695
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D5300

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1043
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D7200

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1043
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-3

Pentax KP

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
High resolution composite

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 III

Pentax KP

$1847
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon 90D

Pentax K-3

Canon 90D

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1199
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 90D

Pentax K-3 III

Canon 90D

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1199
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon 90D

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