Lumix S1vs Pentax K-3 Mark III

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Lumix Lumix S1 Lumix Lumix S1 (2019) Starting from £1499 new Best for Landscape, studio & professional stills on L-mount View Lumix S1
VS
Pentax 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?

Landscape, Studio & Professional Stills On L-Mount — Lumix S1 (2019): Built like a tank with one of the finest viewfinders ever made — the S1 is the choice for photographers who prioritise build quality and IBIS over AF speed.

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.

↓ Full specifications below

Lumix S1 (2019)

  • L-mount system photographers who want a rugged, weather-sealed full-frame body for demanding conditions
  • Landscape and studio photographers who value exceptional IBIS and an outstanding EVF
  • Video professionals who need V-Log and 4K/60p in a robust, weather-sealed body
  • Leica SL users who want a more affordable second body on the same L-mount system

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 lumix s1 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification Lumix S1 (2019)Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
Price £1,499 £1,699
Sensor 24.2MP full-frame CMOS 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless)
Resolution 24.2MP 25.7MP
Video 4K/60p (crop), 4K/30p (full-frame), 1080p/180p, V-Log (upgrade) 4K/30p, 1080p/60p
Autofocus DFD contrast-detect AF — reliable but slower than phase-detect rivals SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type)
Stabilisation 5-axis IBIS — 6 stops 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III)
Burst Rate 9fps continuous with AF/AE 12fps
Battery Life ~380 shots (CIPA) 800 shots (CIPA)
Weight 898g body only 820g body only
Dimensions 148.9 × 110.0 × 96.7mm 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm
Weather Sealed Yes Yes
Viewfinder OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.78× — one of the finest EVFs available Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification
Screen 3.2" touchscreen, tilting 3.2" tilting touchscreen
Mount L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma) Pentax KF-mount
Memory Cards Dual SD UHS-II slots Dual SD UHS-II
Connectivity USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Genre Lumix S1Pentax K-3 Mark III
Landscape
9.0
9.0
Portrait
9.0
7.0
Vlogging & Video
9.0
4.0
Travel
7.0
7.0
Street
4.0
Sports
4.0
Wildlife
9.0
Sports & Action
9.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side Lumix S1 prices → Pentax K-3 Mark III prices →

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