Pentax K-3 vs Sigma fp L

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-3 vs Sigma fp L

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.

35mm 864.0mm²
61.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sigma fp L Review.
See real-world photos taken with the fp L.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Sigma fp L

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Sigma fp L

Less expensive
$1150 vs $2499 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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

560 vs 240 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher max flash sync
1/180 vs 1/15 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
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 Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sigma fp L advantages over Pentax K-3

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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
Thinner
45 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Newer
3 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
61.0 vs 24.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
102400 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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

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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 Sigma fp L

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 Sigma fp L, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sigma fp L Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Sigma fp L

Nikon D7100

$2499
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$692
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sigma fp L 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

Sigma fp L

Nikon D5300

$2499
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Sigma fp L

Nikon D7200

$2499
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1016
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sigma fp L vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Sigma fp

Pentax K-3

Sigma fp

$699
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Internal flash

$1672
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sigma fp

Sigma fp L

Sigma fp

$2499
35mm

Newer
More pixels

$1672
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher max flash sync

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sigma fp

Compared to Sony A7C

Pentax K-3

Sony A7C

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
More telephoto lens reach

$1665
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7C

Sigma fp L

Sony A7C

$2499
35mm

Thinner
More dots on screen

$1665
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sony A7C

Compare Other Cameras?