Z50vs Pentax K-3 Mark III
VS
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?
Beginner, Travel, Everyday — Z50 (2019): Nikon's Z system at its most accessible.
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
Z50 (2019)
- Nikon DSLR users wanting a lighter mirrorless
- First-time enthusiast camera buyers
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 z50 is the most affordable; only the pentax k-3 mark iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z50 (2019) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £499 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | APS-C CMOS | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 25.7MP |
| Video | 4K 30fps (1.5× crop), 1080p 120fps | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | 209-point phase-detect hybrid AF | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | None | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 12fps |
| Battery Life | 300 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 397g (body only) | 820g body only |
| Dimensions | 126.5 × 93.5 × 60.0mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.68× 2.36M-dot | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" downward-tilting touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z-Mount (DX) | Pentax KF-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Dual SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Micro USB, Micro HDMI | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z50 | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
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Camera family history