Pentax · Camera History

Pentax K Series

Pentax's weather-sealed APS-C DSLRs — built for the outdoors.

The Pentax K series is the definitive line of weather-sealed APS-C DSLRs — built for photographers who shoot in demanding conditions. The K-3 Mark III is Pentax's enthusiast flagship, combining 25.7MP resolution with in-body shake reduction and dual SD slots in a rigidly weather-sealed body. The KF brings a fully articulating screen and solid weather sealing to a more accessible price point, making it ideal for outdoor and landscape photographers on a budget.

📷 9 generations 💷 £ → £1899 current
1
K-50
Generation 1
Pentax K-50
£124 Released 2013
16MP Full HD 1080p/30 SAFOX IX i+ phase-detect AF, 11 points (9 cross-type); contrast AF with face detection in live view Sensor-shift Shake Reduction 6fps ~410 shots (CIPA) Weather sealed 675g (with battery)
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2
K-S1
Generation 2
Pentax K-S1
£143 Released 2014
20MP Full HD 1080p/30 SAFOX IX i+ phase-detect AF, 11 points (9 cross-type) Sensor-shift Shake Reduction 5.4fps ~410 shots (CIPA) 558g (with battery)
What's new in this generation
  • Resolution: 20MP (+4MP)
  • Weather sealing removed
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3
K-70
Generation 3
Pentax K-70
£280 Released 2016
24MP Full HD 1080/60i, 30p SAFOX X phase-detect AF, 11 points (9 cross-type); hybrid AF in live view Sensor-shift Shake Reduction, 4.5 stops 6fps ~410 shots (CIPA) Weather sealed 688g (with battery)
What's new in this generation
  • Resolution: 24MP (+4MP)
  • Weather sealing added
  • Video: Full HD 1080/60i, 30p
  • Price: +£137 vs previous
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4
K-3 II
Generation 4
Pentax K-3 II
£354 Released 2015
24MP Full HD 1080/60i, 30p SAFOX 11 phase-detect AF, 27 points (25 cross-type) Sensor-shift Shake Reduction, 4.5 stops 8.3fps ~720 shots (CIPA) Weather sealed 785g (with battery)
What's new in this generation
  • Burst rate: 8.3fps
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5
KP
Generation 5
Pentax KP
£489 Released 2017
24MP Full HD 1080/60i, 30p SAFOX 11 phase-detect AF, 27 points (25 cross-type) 5-axis sensor-shift Shake Reduction II, 5 stops 7fps ~390 shots (CIPA) Weather sealed 703g (with battery)
What's new in this generation
  • Price: +£135 vs previous
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6
KF
Generation 6
Pentax KF
£700 Released 2022 The Pentax KF is a rare thing — a weather-sealed DSLR with in-body stabilisation and an articulating screen at an accessible price. Video is modest at 1080p/60p, but for outdoor and landscape photographers who prefer optical viewfinders and want real weather sealing, the KF delivers in a format that is increasingly hard to find.
24MP 1080p/60p SAFOX 13 phase-detect AF with 11 points In-body Shake Reduction (SR II), up to 5.5 stops 6fps ~410 shots (CIPA) Weather sealed 643g (body only)
What's new in this generation
  • Video: 1080p/60p
  • Price: +£211 vs previous
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7
K-1
Generation 7
Pentax K-1
£929 Released 2016
36MP Full HD 1080/60i, 30p SAFOX 12 phase-detect AF, 33 points (25 cross-type) 5-axis sensor-shift Shake Reduction II, 5 stops 4.4fps ~760 shots (CIPA) Weather sealed 1010g (with battery)
What's new in this generation
  • Resolution: 36MP (+12MP)
  • Video: Full HD 1080/60i, 30p
  • Price: +£229 vs previous
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8
Pentax K-3 Mark III
Generation 8
Pentax Pentax K-3 Mark III
£1699 Released 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.
26MP 4K/30p, 1080p/60p SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) 12fps 800 shots (CIPA) Weather sealed 820g (body only)
What's new in this generation
  • Resolution: 26MP (-11MP)
  • IBIS added
  • Burst rate: 12fps
  • Video: 4K/30p, 1080p/60p
  • Price: +£770 vs previous
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9
Pentax K-1 Mark II
Current generation
Pentax Pentax K-1 Mark II
£1899 Released 2018
36MP 1080p only, no 4K SAFOX 12, 33-point DSLR phase-detect AF 5-axis Shake Reduction II (in-body) 4.4fps 670 shots (CIPA) Weather sealed 1010g (with battery and card)
What's new in this generation
  • Resolution: 36MP (+11MP)
  • Video: 1080p only, no 4K
  • Price: +£200 vs previous
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All generations at a glance
Spec K-50 (2013) K-S1 (2014) K-70 (2016) K-3 II (2015) KP (2017) KF (2022) K-1 (2016) Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) Pentax K-1 Mark II (2018)
Price £124£143£280£354£489£700£929£1699£1899
Resolution 16MP20MP24MP24MP24MP24MP36MP26MP36MP
Video Full HD 1080p/30Full HD 1080p/30Full HD 1080/60i, 30pFull HD 1080/60i, 30pFull HD 1080/60i, 30p1080p/60pFull HD 1080/60i, 30p4K/30p, 1080p/60p1080p only, no 4K
Stabilisation Sensor-shift Shake ReductionSensor-shift Shake ReductionSensor-shift Shake Reduction, 4.5 stopsSensor-shift Shake Reduction, 4.5 stops5-axis sensor-shift Shake Reduction II, 5 stopsIn-body Shake Reduction (SR II), up to 5.5 stops5-axis sensor-shift Shake Reduction II, 5 stops5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III)5-axis Shake Reduction II (in-body)
Burst Rate 6fps5.4fps6fps8.3fps7fps6fps4.4fps12fps4.4fps
Battery ~410 shots (CIPA)~410 shots (CIPA)~410 shots (CIPA)~720 shots (CIPA)~390 shots (CIPA)~410 shots (CIPA)~760 shots (CIPA)800 shots (CIPA)670 shots (CIPA)
Weather Sealed YesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Weight 675g (with battery)558g (with battery)688g (with battery)785g (with battery)703g (with battery)643g (body only)1010g (with battery)820g (body only)1010g (with battery and card)