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Pentax Camera Comparison
General Data
Camera ThumbnailPentax K-3Pentax K-3 IIPentax K-5 II
Camera NamePentax K-3Pentax K-3 IIPentax K-5 II
Year Introduced201320152012
AvailabilityDiscontinued (2016)Discontinued (2019)Discontinued
Current PriceFind on eBay | PF MarketplaceFind on eBay | PF MarketplaceFind on eBay | PF Marketplace
In-Depth ReviewPentax K-3 reviewPentax K-3 II reviewPentax K-5 II review
User ReviewsBrowseBrowseBrowse
Sensor
Sensor FormatAPS-CAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor TypeCMOSCMOSCMOS
Megapixels24.3524.3516.28
Resolution4000 x 6016 pixels4000 x 6016 pixels3264 x 4928 pixels
AA FilterNo (AA filter simulator)No (AA filter simulator)Yes
Super ResolutionNoYesNo
Bit Depth141414
Minimum ISO10010080
Maximum ISO512005120051200
ISO Range100 - 51,200100 - 51,200100 - 12800 (80 - 51200)
Imaging
ProcessorPRIME IIIPRIME IIIPRIME II
Exposure ModesGreen, HyP, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, HyM, X, B, User(3)Auto (green), HyP, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, HyM, X, B, User(3)Green, HyP, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, HyM, X, B, User(5)
Program ModesAuto, Normal, Action, Depth of field (deep/shallow), MTFAuto, Normal, Action, Depth of Field (deep/shallow), MTF priorityAuto, 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 - 1/8000s (stepless)30s - 1/8000s (stepless)30s - 1/8000s (stepless)
Shutter Speeds (Manual)B, 30s - 1/8000s. Up to 300s in Astrotracer modeB, 30s - 1/8000s. Up to 300s in Astrotracer modeB, 30s - 1/8000s. Up to 300s in Astrotracer mode
High ISO NROff, Auto, Low/Medium/High, Custom by ISOOff, Auto, Low/Medium/High, Custom by ISOOff, Auto, Low/Medium/High, Custom by ISO
Slow Shutter NROff, Auto, OnOff, Auto, OnOff, Auto, On
Shutter Life200,000200,000100,000
Maximum FPS8.38.37
Continuous ShootingHi: 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: 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: 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)
Exposure Compensation+/-5 EV (+/-2 EV in movie mode)+/-5 EV (+/-2 EV in movie mode)+/-5 EV (+/- 2 EV in movie mode)
Auto BracketingExposure (2, 3 or 5 frames), one-push EV bracketingExposure (2, 3 or 5 frames), one-push EV bracketing, AA filter (3 frames)Exposure (2, 3 or 5 frames), one-push EV bracketing
Expanded Dynamic RangeHighlight (auto, on, off),
Shadow (auto, high, medium, low, off)
Highlight (auto, on, off),
Shadow (auto, high, medium, low, off)
Highlight (on, off),
Shadow (high, medium, low, off)
Metering Sensor86K Pixel86K Pixel77-Segment
Meter Range-3 to 20 EV-3 to 20 EV0 to 22 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 ShootingUp to 2000 frames, 2 sec to 24 hours intervalUp to 2000 frames, 2 sec to 24 hours intervalUp to 999 frames, up to 24 hours between frames
Mirror Lock-upYesYesYes
HDR ModeYesYesYes
Multiple ExposuresYes, average, additive and bright, 2 to 2000 shotsYes, average, additive and bright, 2 to 2000 shotsYes, average and additive, 2 to 9 shots
Pixel MappingYesYesYes
Optics/Mount
MountKAF2 (no aperture coupler)KAF2 (no aperture coupler)KAF2 (no aperture coupler)
Composition AdjustmentYesYesYes
Supported LensesAll 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. 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 (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).
StabilizationYes (sensor-shift SR)Yes (sensor-shift SR)Yes (sensor-shift SR)
Autofocus (viewfinder)Yes (SAFOX 11, 27 focus points (25 cross type))Yes (SAFOX 11, 27 focus points (25 cross type))Yes (SAFOX X, 11 focus points (9 cross type))
AF Points272711
Autofocus Sensitivity-3 to 18 EV-3 to 18 EV-3 to 18 EV
Autofocus With SDMYesYesYes
Autofocus AssistDedicated LEDDedicated LEDDedicated LED
Autofocus ModesSingle Shot, Continuous, Auto, Expanded area (S, M, L), Zone select, User select, Manual focusSingle Shot, Continuous, Auto, Expanded area (S, M, L), Zone select, User select, Manual focusSingle Shot, Continuous, Select-area Expansion
Front/Back Focus CorrYes (adjustment for up to 20 lenses)Yes (adjustment for up to 20 lenses)Yes (adjustment for up to 20 lenses)
Power ZoomSupported (zoom only)Supported (zoom only)Supported (zoom only)
Lens CorrectionDistortion,Lateral Chromatic Aberration,Vignetting,DiffractionDistortion,Lateral Chromatic Aberration,Vignetting,DiffractionDistortion,Lateral Chromatic Aberration
Video
Video/Movie Mode1920x1080 (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 60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p fps,
1280x720 (16:9) at 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p fps,
MPEG4 AVC/H.264,
Interval Movie (4K, Full HD, HD)
1920x1080 (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)
Video StabilizationElectronicElectronicSensor-shift SR
Exposure ModesP, Av, TAv, MP, Av, TAv, Tv, MP (auto-aperture), Av
Movie Mode RestrictionsClips up to 4 GB / 25 minutesAv:The aperture can be set manually before recording and is fixed during recording
AF During RecordingOn-DemandOn-DemandNo
Sound In Movie ModeStereo (external mic), Mono (built-in mic). Adjustable sound levelStereo (external mic), Mono (built-in mic). Adjustable sound levelStereo (external mic), Mono (built-in mic)
Flash
Built-in FlashYes, GN 13 (ISO 100/m)NoYes, 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 flash
Auto discharge*, On (leading curtain sync)*, Redeye reduction*, Slow-speed sync*, Trailing curtain sync*, High-speed sync*, Manual*, Wireless**, Contrast control**
* Requires an external flash
** Requires two (or more) external flashes
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
Viewfinder0.95x, 100%0.95x, 100%0.92x, 100%
Viewfinder TypePentaprismPentaprismPentaprism
Diopter Adjustment-2.5 to +1.5-2.5 to +1.5-2.5 to +1.5
AF Points In ViewfinderYesYesYes
Exchangeable ScreenYesYesYes
Depth Of Field PreviewYesYesYes
Digital PreviewYes (with image magnificaion)Yes (with image magnificaion)Yes (with image magnificaion)
Live ViewYesYesYes
Focus PeakingYesYesNo
Back LCD3.2 in., 1,037,000 dots, 3:2 aspect ratio3.2 in., 1,037,000 dots, 3:2 aspect ratio3 in., 921,000 dots (VGA)
Top LCDYesYesYes
Body
Weather ResistantYesYesYes
GPSVia AccessoryBuilt-InVia Accessory
Control Wheels222
Camera Controls2 control wheels. Many dedicated buttons. Control panel. Three user mode settings2 control wheels. Many dedicated buttons. Control panel. Three user mode settings2 control wheels Many dedicated buttons Control panel Five user mode settings
Dust RemovalYes, Ultrasonic DR IIYes, Ultrasonic DR IIYes, Ultrasonic DR II
Dust AlertYesYesYes
File FormatPEF (RAW),DNG (RAW),JPG,MOVPEF (RAW),DNG (RAW),JPG,MOVPEF (RAW),DNG (RAW),JPG,AVI
Card Slots221
Memory Card TypeSD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I Compatible), Eye-Fi, FlucardSD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I Compatible), Eye-Fi, FlucardSD, SDHC, SDXC
TetheringVia O-FC1 FLUcardVia O-FC1 FLUcardWired (unofficial)
Battery

D-LI90 lithium-ion rechargeable

D-LI90 lithium-ion rechargeable

D-LI90 lithium-ion rechargeable

Battery Grip

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

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

BG4 (takes D-LI90 or 6x AA)

Battery Life720 images (560 images with 50% flash usage) Video playback time: 370 minutes720 images Video playback time: 370 minutes740 images (50% flash usage) Playback time: 440 minutes
Size (W X H X D)131.5 x 100 x 77.5 mm131.5 x 102.5 x 77.5 mm130.5 x 96.5 x 72.5 mm
Weight715 g (800 g with battery and SD card)700 g (785 g with battery and SD card)660 g (740 g with battery and SD card)
ConnectivityUSB 3, HDMI out, stereo mic, headphones, DC in, X-sync, cable releaseUSB 3, HDMI out, stereo mic, headphones, DC in, X-sync, cable releaseUSB 2.0, AV out, HDMI out, 3.5mm stereo mic, DC in, X-sync, cable release
Latest Firmware

Link to download page

Link to Download Page

Version 1.07

NotesAstrotracer 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 functionality with the built in GPS,
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 suppresion bracketing,
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,
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.
Colors / Special Editions

Prestige, Silver

Black, Limited Silver





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