X-E3vs Pentax K-3 Mark III
Pentax
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
Starting from £1699 new
Best for DSLR enthusiasts & outdoor photographers
View Pentax K-3 Mark III
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Street & Travel — X-E3 (2017): The X-E3 is the lightest Fujifilm interchangeable-lens camera with the 24.3MP X-Trans III sensor. Its slim, compact body appeals to street photographers who find the X-T line too bulky. The touchscreen joystick and Bluetooth connection are welcome additions. 4K is technically available but limited to 15fps — this is a stills-first camera. An excellent compact travel camera at used-market prices.
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.
Who should buy what
X-E3 (2017)
- Street photographers who want Fujifilm colours
- Travel photographers prioritising size
- Minimalist camera users
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
- DSLR photographers who want the finest APS-C optical viewfinder experience
- Outdoor and weather photographers who need robust all-weather sealing
- Pentax lens owners who want to use their existing K-mount glass
- Photographers who prefer optical viewfinders and refuse to switch to mirrorless
Quick take: The pentax k-3 mark iii has the highest resolution at 26mp; the x-e3 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-E3 (2017) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £300 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 25.7MP |
| Video | 4K/15p, 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF, face detection | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | None | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) |
| Burst Rate | 8fps (electronic shutter up to 14fps) | 12fps |
| Battery Life | ~350 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 337g (body only) | 820g body only |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 73.9 × 42.7mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.62× magnification | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" touchscreen (fixed), 1.04M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Pentax KF-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Dual SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | X-E3 | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Street | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wildlife | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history