Lumix S9vs Pentax K-3 Mark III
Lumix
Lumix S9 (2024)
Starting from £1299 new
Best for Travel photographers, content creators & L-mount entry buyers
View Lumix S9
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?
Travel Photographers, Content Creators & L-Mount Entry Buyers — Lumix S9 (2024): The most compact full-frame camera available — a perfect travel and content creation companion with brilliant colour science.
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 S9 (2024)
- Travel photographers who want full-frame quality in the most compact package
- Content creators attracted to Real-time LUT and 10-bit video
- Photographers already in the L-mount ecosystem wanting a lightweight second body
- Lumix S5 II users who want something smaller for travel and casual shooting
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 s9 is the most affordable; only the pentax k-3 mark iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S9 (2024) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 25.7MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/60p, 1080p/240p | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with subject recognition | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic | 12fps |
| Battery Life | ~310 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 413g (with battery) | 820g body only |
| Dimensions | 124.6 × 73.9 × 52.8mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen (touch drag AF) | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L mount | Pentax KF-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Dual SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S9 | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
More comparisons with Lumix S9
Camera family history