Lumix S1vs Pentax K-3 Mark III
Lumix
Lumix S1 (2019)
Starting from £1499 new
Best for Landscape, studio & professional stills on L-mount
View Lumix S1
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.
Who should buy what
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 |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S1 | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Street | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
More comparisons with Lumix S1
Camera family history