X-A7vs Pentax K-3 Mark IIIvs ZV-1 II
Pentax
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
From £1699
Best for DSLR enthusiasts & outdoor photographers
View Pentax K-3 Mark III
Which should you buy?
Beginner Fujifilm — X-A7 (2019): The most affordable X-mount entry — Fujifilm colour and film simulations with a large flip screen for beginners.
Dslr Enthusiasts & Outdoor Photographers — Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021): The finest APS-C DSLR ever made — class-leading weather sealing, optical viewfinder, 5-axis IBIS, and extraordinary build for photographers committed to DSLR.
Pocket Vlogging — ZV-1 II (2023): The best pocket vlogging camera — 1-inch sensor, ultrawide zoom, flip screen, and real-time Eye AF in a shirt pocket.
Who should buy what
X-A7 (2019)
- You want an affordable first mirrorless with decent video capabilities
- You shoot a lot of selfie-style content or vlog on a budget
- Note: no viewfinder and limited lens support — the X-T30 II is a better long-term investment
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
- You're a committed DSLR photographer with significant investment in Pentax glass
- You shoot in extreme weather conditions and place build quality and reliability above everything
- You prefer optical viewfinder performance and want the best modern APS-C DSLR available
ZV-1 II (2023)
- You create vlog content solo and want reliable face tracking in a genuinely portable camera
- You want a wide zoom range for shooting variety without ever changing lenses
- You want clearly better image quality and stabilisation than a smartphone, simply packaged
Quick take: The pentax k-3 mark iii has the highest resolution at 26mp; the x-a7 is the most affordable; only the pentax k-3 mark iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-A7 (2019) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) | ZV-1 II (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £399 | £1,699 | £649 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Bayer, not X-Trans) | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 25.7MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect + contrast, 425 points | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) | Phase-detect + contrast, 315 points, Real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) | Optical SteadyShot (OIS) |
| Burst Rate | 6fps | 12fps | 15fps |
| Battery Life | ~440 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) | ~260 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 320g body only | 820g body only | 292g |
| Dimensions | 118.0 × 80.6 × 55.2mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm | 105.5 × 60.0 × 43.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | None | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification | None |
| Screen | 3.5" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Pentax KF-mount | Fixed zoom — 18–50mm f/1.8–4.0 equiv |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro HDMI | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input |
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