Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 
Log in or register to remove ads.

Looking to buy an affordable camera with great image quality?

Pentax Camera Comparison
General Data
Camera ThumbnailPentax *ist DLPentax K-5 IIPentax K-3
Camera NamePentax *ist DLPentax K-5 IIPentax K-3
Year Introduced200520122013
AvailabilityDiscontinued (2006)DiscontinuedDiscontinued (2016)
Current PriceFind on eBay | PF MarketplaceFind on eBay | PF MarketplaceFind on eBay | PF Marketplace
In-Depth ReviewN/APentax K-5 II reviewPentax K-3 review
User ReviewsBrowseBrowseBrowse
Sensor
Sensor FormatAPS-CAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor TypeCCDCMOSCMOS
Megapixels6.116.2824.35
Resolution2008 x 3008 pixels3264 x 4928 pixels4000 x 6016 pixels
AA FilterYesYesNo (AA filter simulator)
Super ResolutionNoNoNo
Bit Depth121414
Minimum ISO20080100
Maximum ISO32005120051200
ISO Range200 - 3200100 - 12800 (80 - 51200)100 - 51,200
Imaging
ProcessorNot knownPRIME IIPRIME III
Exposure ModesAuto Picture, P, Av, Tv, M, BGreen, HyP, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, HyM, X, B, User(5)Green, HyP, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, HyM, X, B, User(3)
Program ModesNormal, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night-scene Portrait, Flash OffAuto, Normal, Action, Depth of field (deep/shallow), MTFAuto, Normal, Action, Depth of field (deep/shallow), MTF
Scene ModesNoneNoneNone
RestrictionsExposure modes with M and K lenses are restricted to Av (with aperture always wide open) and M (with stop-down metering)Exposure modes with M and K lenses are restricted to Av (with aperture always wide open) and M (with stop-down metering)Exposure modes with M and K lenses are restricted to Av (with aperture always wide open) and M (with stop-down metering)
Shutter Speeds (Auto)30s - 1/4000s (stepless)30s - 1/8000s (stepless)30s - 1/8000s (stepless)
Shutter Speeds (Manual)B, 30s - 1/4000sB, 30s - 1/8000s. Up to 300s in Astrotracer modeB, 30s - 1/8000s. Up to 300s in Astrotracer mode
High ISO NRNoOff, Auto, Low/Medium/High, Custom by ISOOff, Auto, Low/Medium/High, Custom by ISO
Slow Shutter NRYes, can be turned offOff, Auto, OnOff, Auto, On
Shutter LifeNot Specified100,000200,000
Maximum FPS2.878.3
Continuous Shooting2.8 fps up to 5 framesHi: 7 fps up to approx. 34 frames (JPG), up to approx. 26 frames (PEF/DNG), Lo: 2 fps until card is full (JPG), up to appox. 40 frames (PEF/DNG)Hi: 8.3 fps up to approx. 60 frames (JPG), up to approx. 23 frames (RAW), M: 4.5 fps up to approx 100 frames (JPG), 32 frames (RAW), Lo: 3 fps uup to approx. 200 frames (JPG), up to appox. 52 frames (RAW)
Exposure Compensation+/-2 EV+/-5 EV (+/- 2 EV in movie mode)+/-5 EV (+/-2 EV in movie mode)
Auto BracketingExposure (3 frames)Exposure (2, 3 or 5 frames), one-push EV bracketingExposure (2, 3 or 5 frames), one-push EV bracketing
Expanded Dynamic RangeNoHighlight (on, off),
Shadow (high, medium, low, off)
Highlight (auto, on, off),
Shadow (auto, high, medium, low, off)
Metering Sensor16-Segment77-Segment86K Pixel
Meter Range1 to 21.5 EV0 to 22 EV-3 to 20 EV
Meter PatternMulti-Segment,Center Weighted,SpotMulti-Segment,Center Weighted,SpotMulti-Segment,Center Weighted,Spot
Exposure LockYesYesYes
Self Timer2 s with mirror lock-up, 12 s2 s with mirror lock-up, 12 s2 s with mirror lock-up, 12 s
Interval ShootingNoUp to 999 frames, up to 24 hours between framesUp to 2000 frames, 2 sec to 24 hours interval
Mirror Lock-upYesYesYes
HDR ModeNoYesYes
Multiple ExposuresNoYes, average and additive, 2 to 9 shotsYes, average, additive and bright, 2 to 2000 shots
Pixel MappingNoYesYes
Optics/Mount
MountKAF (no aperture coupler)KAF2 (no aperture coupler)KAF2 (no aperture coupler)
Composition AdjustmentNoYesYes
Supported LensesAll Pentax K-mount lenses except for lenses with the KAF4 mount variant and RE (retractable) lenses. Manual focus only with K-, M-, and A-series lenses and with KAF3 mount lenses. Stop down metering only with K- and M-series lenses. M42, Pentax 645 and Pentax 6x7 lenses with the appropriate adapters (stop down metering and manual focus only).All Pentax K-mount lenses except for lenses with the KAF4 mount variant. Manual focus only with K-, M-, and A-series lenses. Stop down metering only with K- and M-series lenses. M42, Pentax 645 and Pentax 6x7 lenses with the appropriate adapters (stop down metering and manual focus only).All Pentax K-mount lenses. Manual focus only with K-, M-, and A-series lenses. Stop down metering only with K- and M-series lenses. M42, Pentax 645 and Pentax 6x7 lenses with the appropriate adapters (stop down metering and manual focus only).
StabilizationNoYes (sensor-shift SR)Yes (sensor-shift SR)
Autofocus (viewfinder)Yes (SAFOX VIII, 3 focus points)Yes (SAFOX X, 11 focus points (9 cross type))Yes (SAFOX 11, 27 focus points (25 cross type))
AF Points31127
Autofocus Sensitivity-1 to 18 EV-3 to 18 EV-3 to 18 EV
Autofocus With SDMNoYesYes
Autofocus AssistNoDedicated LEDDedicated LED
Autofocus ModesSingle Shot, ContinuousSingle Shot, Continuous, Select-area ExpansionSingle Shot, Continuous, Auto, Expanded area (S, M, L), Zone select, User select, Manual focus
Front/Back Focus CorrNoYes (adjustment for up to 20 lenses)Yes (adjustment for up to 20 lenses)
Power ZoomNot supportedSupported (zoom only)Supported (zoom only)
Lens CorrectionNoneDistortion,Lateral Chromatic AberrationDistortion,Lateral Chromatic Aberration,Vignetting,Diffraction
Video
Video/Movie ModeNo1920x1080 (16:9 Full HD) at 25 fps,
1280x720 (16:9) at 30 or 25 fps,
640x480 (4:3) at 30 or 25 fps,
Motion JPEG (AVI)
1920x1080 (16:9 Full HD) at 60, 30, 25 and 24 fps,
1280x720 (16:9) at 60, 30, 25 and 24 fps,
MPEG4 AVC/H.264
Interval Movie (4K, Full HD, HD)
Video StabilizationSensor-shift SRElectronic
Exposure ModesP (auto-aperture), AvP, Av, TAv, M
Movie Mode RestrictionsN/AAv:The aperture can be set manually before recording and is fixed during recording
AF During RecordingNoNoOn-Demand
Sound In Movie ModeN/AStereo (external mic), Mono (built-in mic)Stereo (external mic), Mono (built-in mic). Adjustable sound level
Flash
Built-in FlashYes, GN 15.6 (ISO 200/m)Yes, GN 13 (ISO 100/m)Yes, GN 13 (ISO 100/m)
Sync Speed1/180s1/180s1/180s
P-TTL FlashYesYesYes
TTL FlashNoNoNo
Flash Exposure Comp-2 to 1 EV-2 to 1 EV-2 to 1 EV
Flash FunctionsAuto discharge, On (leading curtain sync), Redeye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Trailing curtain sync*, High-speed sync*, Manual*, Wireless*, Contrast control* * Available when combined with external flashAuto discharge, On (leading curtain sync), Redeye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Trailing curtain sync, High-speed sync*, Manual*, Wireless*, Contrast control*
* Available when combined with external flash
Auto discharge, On (leading curtain sync), Redeye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Trailing curtain sync, High-speed sync*, Manual, Wireless*, Contrast control*
* Available when combined with external flash
Viewfinder/LCD
Viewfinder0.85x, 95%0.92x, 100%0.95x, 100%
Viewfinder TypePentamirrorPentaprismPentaprism
Diopter Adjustment-2.5 to +1.5-2.5 to +1.5-2.5 to +1.5
AF Points In ViewfinderNoYesYes
Exchangeable ScreenNoYesYes
Depth Of Field PreviewYesYesYes
Digital PreviewNoYes (with image magnificaion)Yes (with image magnificaion)
Live ViewNoYesYes
Focus PeakingN/ANoYes
Back LCD2.5 in. 210,000 pix3 in., 921,000 dots (VGA)3.2 in., 1,037,000 dots, 3:2 aspect ratio
Top LCDYesYesYes
Body
Weather ResistantNoYesYes
GPSNot SupportedVia AccessoryVia Accessory
Control Wheels122
Camera Controls1 control wheel. Most functions accessed through menus2 control wheels Many dedicated buttons Control panel Five user mode settings2 control wheels. Many dedicated buttons. Control panel. Three user mode settings
Dust RemovalNoYes, Ultrasonic DR IIYes, Ultrasonic DR II
Dust AlertNoYesYes
File FormatPEF (RAW),JPGPEF (RAW),DNG (RAW),JPG,AVIPEF (RAW),DNG (RAW),JPG,MOV
Card Slots112
Memory Card TypeSD (SDHC with firmware upgrade)SD, SDHC, SDXCSD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I Compatible), Eye-Fi, Flucard
TetheringNoneWired (unofficial)Via O-FC1 FLUcard
Battery

4 x AA

D-LI90 lithium-ion rechargeable

D-LI90 lithium-ion rechargeable

Battery Grip

No

BG4 (takes D-LI90 or 6x AA)

D-BG5 (takes D-LI90 or 6x AA)

Battery LifeAA lithium: 750 images (650 images with 50% flash usage)740 images (50% flash usage) Playback time: 440 minutes720 images (560 images with 50% flash usage) Video playback time: 370 minutes
Size (W X H X D)125 x 92.5 x 67 mm130.5 x 96.5 x 72.5 mm131.5 x 100 x 77.5 mm
Weight470 g660 g (740 g with battery and SD card)715 g (800 g with battery and SD card)
ConnectivityUSB 2.0/Video out, DC in, cable releaseUSB 2.0, AV out, HDMI out, 3.5mm stereo mic, DC in, X-sync, cable releaseUSB 3, HDMI out, stereo mic, headphones, DC in, X-sync, cable release
Latest Firmware

Version 1.03

Version 1.07

Link to download page

NotesAstrotracer compatible,
Electronic level,
Embed copyright information in EXIF,
High ISO NR can be customized for each major ISO value,
Image plane indicator,
In-camera RAW development,
Save last JPG as RAW,
The RAW button is customizable and can perform a variety of functions, hereunder exposure bracketing.
The 11 autofocus points cover a wider area of the image than on previous models.
Astrotracer compatible,
Diffraction correction requires firmware update,
Electronic level,
Embed copyright information in EXIF,
High ISO NR can be customized for each major ISO value,
Image plane indicator,
In-camera RAW development,
Moiré suppression via SR mechanism,
Moiré suppresion bracketing (with firmware update),
Save last JPG as RAW,
Save JPG from movie,
The RAW button is customizable and can perform a variety of functions, hereunder exposure bracketing
Colors / Special Editions

Prestige, Silver





All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:09 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top