Z5 IIvs Pentax K-3 Mark III
Nikon
Z5 II (2024)
Starting from £1329 new
Best for Full-frame value
£1329 at Wex Photo Video →
View Z5 II
Pentax
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
Starting from £1699 new
Best for DSLR enthusiasts & outdoor photographers
Used from £856 at eBay →
View Pentax K-3 Mark III
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GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Full-Frame Value — Z5 II (2024): The most accessible full-frame mirrorless — dual card slots, weather sealing, and Nikon colour at a sensible price.
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
Z5 II (2024)
- DSLR photographers making the switch to full-frame mirrorless
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame Z quality at the most accessible price
- Z5 owners wanting significantly improved autofocus and uncropped 4K
- Landscape and portrait photographers stepping up from APS-C
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 z5 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 II (2024) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,329 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) |
| Resolution | 24.5MP | 25.7MP |
| Video | 4K/30p oversampled, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) |
| Burst Rate | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 12fps |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 700g body only | 820g body only |
| Dimensions | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.9mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Pentax KF-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 II | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Street | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with Z5 II
Camera family history