Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX1R II

Cameras
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX1R II

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 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
35.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX1R II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX1R II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX1R II.
Compare Sony RX1R II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX1R II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Sony RX1R II

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Sony RX1R II

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 220 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
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
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 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 24 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony RX1R II advantages over Pentax K-3

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.51 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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
RX1R II test data on DxO Mark K-3 test data on DxO Mark

3,204 vs 1,216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
42.4 vs 24.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read RX1R II User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

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Sony RX1R II

All RX1R II 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

Excellent image quality; Extremely high resolution; Surprisingly good high ISO performance; Outstanding dynamic range; Handy variable low-pass filter; Fast phase-detect AF; Built-in EVF.
Fixed, single focal length lens; Poor battery life; No built-in flash; No touchscreen LCD; Slow buffer clearing; No 4K video; Expensive.
Read our Sony RX1R II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX1

Pentax K-3

Sony RX1

$699
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2398
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX1

Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1

$3298
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

$2398
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX1R II vs Sony RX1

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

Sony RX1R II

Nikon D7100

$3298
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$695
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX1R II vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Sony RX1R

Pentax K-3

Sony RX1R

$699
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2398
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX1R

Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1R

$3298
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

$2398
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX1R II vs Sony RX1R

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

Sony RX1R II

Nikon D5300

$3298
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX1R II 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

Sony RX1R II

Nikon D7200

$3298
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1043
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX1R II vs Nikon D7200

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