• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax MX-1
  • 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 III
K-3 II vs K-3 III
General
Model Number: MX-1 K-3 II
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Mid-Sized Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $499.95 $850.00
Street Price: $399.95 $829.99
Date Available: 2013-02-15 2015-05-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 14.1 oz (399 g)
includes batteries
27.7 oz (785 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.8 x 2.4 x 2.0 in.
(122 x 61 x 51 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: BSI CMOS  
Effective Megapixels: 12.0 24.4
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.90 microns 3.91 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Optional
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 49 80
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 20.4 23.6
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.3 13.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 208 1,106
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3968 x 2232 (8.9 MP, 16:9),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 1728 (5.3 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 1728 (4.5 MP, 3:2),
2560 x 1440 (3.7 MP, 16:9),
2048 x 1152 (2.4 MP, 16:9)
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 2.3), 12-bit DNG RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.30), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.0 8.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (120p)
1920x1080 (60i/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) with stereo sound MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
Lens: smc Pentax Lens, 11 elements in 8 groups (4 aspherical elements) n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 112mm  
Focal Length (actual): 6 - 24mm  
Zoom Ratio: 4.00x  
Aperture Range: f/1.8 (W) / f/2.5 (T) - f/8  
Integrated ND Filter: Yes No
Normal Focus Range: 40 cm to Infinity
15.6 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 20 cm
0.4 - 7.9 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 1.95x  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection: Auto, Spot, Tracking , AF Select (25 Points), Infinity Landscape, Manual Focus, Pan Focus, AF Point Switching 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: No / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, ~100% coverage, 0.95x mag., TBDmm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.63x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   0.95x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,000 dots (307,000 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto (100-12800 with selectable upper limit), 100-12800 Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent light (D:Daylight Color, N:Daylight White, W:Cool White, L:Warm White),Tungsten, Flash 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: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Multi-segment, 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: Natural Skin Tone, Handheld Night Snap (5M), Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Digital Panorama (2M per frame), High Speed Movie (VGA, 120 FPS capture, 30 FPS playback), Time Lapse Movie, Landscape, Blue Sky, Sunset, Flower, Digital SR (ISO 3200-6400 5M), Kids, Pet, Portrait, Food, Fireworks, Surf & Snow, Sport, Fisheye, Sketch, Miniature Filter, Text, Frame Composite (3M); Digital filters (capture): Movie (B&W, Sepia, Fisheye, Miniature, Sketch); Dynamic Range adjustment: Yes (shadow, highlight) 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 10; 3 shots after 10 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): No Yes
High Resolution Composite: No 24.0 megapixels
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Red-eye, Slow-speed synchro, Slow-speed+Red-eye, Trailing Curtain Sync P-TTL; Modes available depends on external flash mounted
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: 1.31 - 40’ (wide, auto ISO), 1.31 - 29’ (tele, auto ISO) n/a
Max Flash Sync:   1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit DNG RAW 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) with stereo sound MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), Motion JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record
Included Memory: 75.3 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional IR Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): Micro (Type D) HDMI 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): 1.43 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 1.91  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 7  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.60
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.0 8.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 10 60
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   8.2
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   22
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   8.2
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   23
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.24 seconds 0.14 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.25 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.274 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.178 seconds 0.094 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.30 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.016 seconds 0.090 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.2 seconds 1.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.4 seconds 0.5 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.8 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 290 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   720 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary D-Li106 Proprietary D-LI90
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary D-Li106 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
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM including SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0 LE for PENTAX RICOH IMAGING RAW development software Software CD-ROM includes Digital Camera Utility 5
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Image Stabilization: Still: Sensor-Shift SR, Digital SR (ISO 100-12800), Dual (SR & Pixel Track SR); Movie: Movie Shake Reduction Mode (Movie SR); (Maximum effect of 3 stops using Sensor-Shift SR); 12-bit RAW (DNG) support, Dual-axial digital level, Dual remote control sensors. Available in black or two-tone silver and black. 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.