S1 IIvs 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?
Hybrid & Video — S1 II (2025): The S1 II is the full-frame L-mount hybrid camera Panasonic's system has been waiting for — phase-detect AF, 4K/120p, class-leading IBIS, and a professional build in one complete package. It addresses every weakness of the original S1 and positions Lumix firmly back in the conversation for serious hybrid shooters.
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
S1 II (2025)
- Hybrid photographers who need excellent stills and serious video capability
- Video professionals who want full-frame quality with 4K/120p
- Landscape and portrait photographers who want maximum stabilisation
- L-mount system users upgrading from S1 or S5 II
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 pentax k-3 mark iii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | S1 II (2025) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,200 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 25.7MP |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) |
| Burst Rate | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) | 12fps |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 680g (body only) | 820g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Pentax KF-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | S1 II | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wildlife | ||
| Street | — |
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