OM-3vs Pentax K-3 Mark III
OM System
OM-3 (2024)
Starting from £999 new
Best for Travel, outdoor & adventure photography
View OM-3
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, Outdoor & Adventure Photography — OM-3 (2024): The ideal mid-range OM System camera — weather sealed, class-leading IBIS, and superb computational features in a compact body.
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
OM-3 (2024)
- Outdoor and adventure photographers who need weather sealing and compact size
- Wildlife and bird photographers wanting improved AF over the OM-5
- Travel shooters who want a rugged, lightweight MFT system
- OM-5 or E-M5 III owners wanting better autofocus without going to the OM-1
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 om-3 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | OM-3 (2024) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | 25.7MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF — subject recognition (human, animal, bird, vehicle) | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 6.5 stops (7.5 stops with Sync IS lenses) | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic with AF | 12fps |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 414g (with battery) | 820g body only |
| Dimensions | 122.3 × 84.6 × 49.4mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | 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 | OM-3 | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Wildlife | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | — |
More comparisons with OM-3
Camera family history