| Processor | PRIME IV | PRIME III | PRIME M |
| Exposure Modes | Auto (green), HyP, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, HyM, X, B, User(5) | Green, HyP, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, HyM, X, B, User(3) | Auto (green), Scene, HyP, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, M, B |
| Program Modes | Auto, Normal, Action, Depth of Field (deep/shallow), MTF priority | Auto, Normal, Action, Depth of field (deep/shallow), MTF | Normal |
| Scene Modes | None. Auto (green) sets exposure based on scene analysis | None | 19: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR (JPG only), Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum |
| Restrictions | 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) | 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 - 1/8000s (stepless) | 30s - 1/8000s (stepless) | 30s - 1/6000s (stepless) |
| Shutter Speeds (Manual) | B, 30s - 1/8000s. Up to 20 minutes in Timed Bulb mode. Up to 300s in Astrotracer mode | B, 30s - 1/8000s. Up to 300s in Astrotracer mode | B, 30s - 1/6000s. Up to 300s in Astrotracer mode |
| High ISO NR | Off, Auto, Low/Medium/High, Custom by ISO | Off, Auto, Low/Medium/High, Custom by ISO | Off, Auto, Low/Medium/High, Custom by ISO |
| Slow Shutter NR | Off, Auto, On | Off, Auto, On | Off, Auto, On |
| Shutter Life | 300,000 | 200,000 | Not Specified |
| Maximum FPS | 4.4 (6.5 in crop mode) | 8.3 | 6 |
| Continuous Shooting | Full frame: H: 4.4 fps (70 JPG, 17 RAW) M: 3.0 fps (100 JPG, 20 RAW) L: 0.7 fps (100 JPG, 100 RAW)
APS-C crop: H: 6.5 fps (100 JPG, 50 RAW) M: 3.0 fps (100 JPG, 70 RAW) L: 1.0 fls (100 JPG, 100 RAW) | 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) | Hi: 6 fps up to 30 frames (JPG), 8 frames (RAW) Lo: 3 fps until card is full (JPG), 10 frames (RAW) |
| Exposure Compensation | +/-5 EV (+/-2 EV in movie mode) | +/-5 EV (+/-2 EV in movie mode) | +/-5 EV (+/-2 EV in movie mode) |
| Auto Bracketing | Exposure (2, 3 or 5 frames), one-push EV bracketing, AA filter (3 frames) | Exposure (2, 3 or 5 frames), one-push EV bracketing | Exposure (3 frames), one-push EV bracketing |
| Expanded Dynamic Range | Highlight (auto, on, off),
Shadow (auto, high, medium, low, off) | Highlight (auto, on, off),
Shadow (auto, high, medium, low, off) | Highlight (auto, on, off),
Shadow (auto, high, medium, low, off) |
| Metering Sensor | 86K Pixel | 86K Pixel | 77-Segment |
| Meter Range | -3 to 20 EV | -3 to 20 EV | 0 to 22 EV |
| Meter Pattern | Multi-Segment,Center Weighted,Spot | Multi-Segment,Center Weighted,Spot | Multi-Segment,Center Weighted,Spot |
| Exposure Lock | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Self Timer | 2 s with mirror lock-up, 12 s | 2 s with mirror lock-up, 12 s | 2 s with mirror lock-up, 12 s |
| Interval Shooting | Up to 2000 frames, 2 sec to 24 hours interval | Up to 2000 frames, 2 sec to 24 hours interval | Up to 999 frames, up to 24 hours between frames |
| Mirror Lock-up | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HDR Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple Exposures | Yes, average, additive and bright, 2 to 2000 shots | Yes, average, additive and bright, 2 to 2000 shots | Yes, average and additive, 2 to 9 shots |
| Pixel Mapping | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mount | KAF2 (no aperture coupler) | KAF2 (no aperture coupler) | KAF2 (no aperture coupler) |
| Composition Adjustment | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Supported Lenses | All Pentax K-mount lenses. Support for lenses with the KAF4 mount variant requires a firmware update. 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: green button 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). | 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). |
| Stabilization | Yes (sensor-shift SR II) | Yes (sensor-shift SR) | Yes (sensor-shift SR) |
| Autofocus (viewfinder) | Yes (SAFOX 12, 33 focus points, 25 cross type) | Yes (SAFOX 11, 27 focus points (25 cross type)) | Yes (SAFOX IXi+, 11 focus points (9 cross type), diffraction lens, wavelength sensor) |
| AF Points | 33 | 27 | 11 |
| Autofocus Sensitivity | -3 to 18 EV | -3 to 18 EV | -1 to 18 EV |
| Autofocus With SDM | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus Assist | Dedicated LED | Dedicated LED | Dedicated LED |
| Autofocus Modes | Single Shot, Continuous, Auto, Expanded area (S, M, L), Zone select, User select | Single Shot, Continuous, Auto, Expanded area (S, M, L), Zone select, User select, Manual focus | AF.A (auto) AF.S (single, w focus lock, focus/shutter priority selectable) AF.C (continuous, w focus/FPS priority selectable) Manual |
| Front/Back Focus Corr | Yes (adjustment for up to 20 lenses) | Yes (adjustment for up to 20 lenses) | Yes (adjustments for up to 20 lenses) |
| Power Zoom | Supported (zoom only) | Supported (zoom only) | Not supported |
| Lens Correction | Distortion,Lateral Chromatic Aberration,Vignetting,Diffraction | Distortion,Lateral Chromatic Aberration,Vignetting,Diffraction | Distortion,Lateral Chromatic Aberration |
| Video/Movie Mode | 1920x1080 (16:9 Full HD) at 60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p,
1280x720 (16:9) at 60p, 50p
MPEG4 AVC/H.264
Interval Movie (4K, Full HD, HD)
Star Stream | 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) | 1920x1080 (16:9 Full HD) at 30, 25, and 24 fps,
1280x720 (16:9) at 60, 50, 30, 25, and 24 fps,
640x480 (4:3) at 30, 25, and 24 fps,
MPEG4 AVC/H.264,
Interval movie |
| Video Stabilization | Electronic | Electronic | Electronic |
| Exposure Modes | P, Av, TAv, Tv, M | P, Av, TAv, M | P, Av and M exposure control |
| Movie Mode Restrictions | Clips up to 4 GB / 25 minutes | | In Av and M mode: Aperture must be set prior to shooting (unless using a lens with manual aperture setting) |
| AF During Recording | On-Demand | On-Demand | No |
| Sound In Movie Mode | Stereo (external mic), Stereo (built-in mic). Adjustable sound level | Stereo (external mic), Mono (built-in mic). Adjustable sound level | Mono. Adjustable sound level |
| Weather Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Built-In | Via Accessory | Via Accessory |
| Control Wheels | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Camera Controls | 2 traditional e-dials and 1 settings dial/control wheel. Many dedicated buttons. Customizable control panel. Five user mode settings. Customizable Fx1 & Fx2 button. | 2 control wheels. Many dedicated buttons. Control panel. Three user mode settings | 2 control wheels Several dedicated buttons Control panel Two user mode settings |
| Dust Removal | Yes, Ultrasonic DR II | Yes, Ultrasonic DR II | Yes, Sensor Shake DR |
| Dust Alert | No | Yes | No |
| File Format | PEF (RAW),DNG (RAW),JPG,MOV | PEF (RAW),DNG (RAW),JPG,MOV | DNG (RAW),JPG,MOV |
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Memory Card Type | SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I Compatible) | SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I Compatible), Eye-Fi, Flucard | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Eye-Fi |
| Tethering | Wired (native),Via built-in Wi-Fi | Via O-FC1 FLUcard | None |
| Battery | D-LI90 Rechargeable | D-LI90 lithium-ion rechargeable | D-LI109 lithium-ion rechargeable or 4 x AA with optional battery holder D-BH109 |
| Battery Grip | D-BG6 (takes D-LI90 or 6x AA)
| D-BG5 (takes D-LI90 or 6x AA)
|
No
|
| Battery Life | 760 images, playback time: 390 minutes | 720 images (560 images with 50% flash usage) Video playback time: 370 minutes | 480 images with Li-Ion battery (no flash use) 1250 images with AA lithium (no flash use) |
| Size (W X H X D) | 136.5 x 110.0 x 85.5 mm | 131.5 x 100 x 77.5 mm | 129 x 96.5 x 70 mm (5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.) |
| Weight | 925g (1010 with battery and SD cards) | 715 g (800 g with battery and SD card) | 650 g (23 oz) |
| Connectivity | USB 2, HDMI out, stereo mic, headphones, DC in, X-sync, cable release, GPS, Wi-Fi. | USB 3, HDMI out, stereo mic, headphones, DC in, X-sync, cable release | USB 2.0, AV out, cable release |
| Latest Firmware | Link to download page | Link to download page | Link to Download Page |
| Notes | Astrotracer functionality with the built in GPS,
Buttons, top LCD, and card and connectivity doors can be illuminated
Electronic level,
Embed copyright information in EXIF,
GPS and electronic compass,
High ISO NR, can be customized for each major ISO value,
Image plane indicator,
In-camera RAW development,
Moiré suppression via SR mechanism,
Moiré suppression bracketing,
Save last JPG as RAW,
Save JPG from movie,
Several buttons are customizable,
The function selector plus third control wheel provides a short cut to a variety of settings | 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 | Astrotracer compatible,
Electronic Level,
Embed copyright information in EXIF,
High ISO NR can be customized for each major ISO value,
In-camera RAW development,
Multilayer digital filters,
Image plane indicator,
Save last JPG as RAW,
The RAW button is customizable and can perform a variety of functions, hereunder exposure bracketing |
| Colors / Special Editions |
Black (standard) and Silver (limited quantity)
|
Prestige, Silver
| |
