Pentax
Pentax K-3 Mark III 2021
Best for DSLR enthusiasts & outdoor photographers
£1048
used today at eBay
Decision tools · Compare
Pentax K-3 Mark III vs KP
Quick take: The Pentax K-3 Mark III has the highest resolution at 26MP; the KP is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
Pentax K-3 Mark III — Dslr Enthusiasts & Outdoor Photographers: 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
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Pentax K-3 Mark IIIPentax · 2021 | KPPentax · 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,048 used | £253 usedBest |
| Sensor | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) | 24.32MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 25.7MPBest | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | Full HD 1080/60i, 30p |
| Autofocus | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) | SAFOX 11 phase-detect AF, 27 points (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) | 5-axis sensor-shift Shake Reduction II, 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 12fpsBest | 7fps |
| Battery Life | 800 shots (CIPA)Best | ~390 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 820g (body only) | 703g (with battery)Best |
| Dimensions | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm | 131.5 × 101 × 76mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification | Pentaprism, ~100%, 0.95x |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 921k dots |
| Mount | Pentax KF-mount | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Single SD slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB 2.0, 3.5mm mic / cable switch, Wi-Fi |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Pentax K-3 Mark III
KP
Portrait
6.6/10
6.0/10
Street
5.2/10
5.3/10
Travel
5.3/10
5.2/10
Wedding & Events
7.0/10
5.0/10
Filmmaking
5.4/10
—
Documentary
6.4/10
5.0/10
Sports & Action
6.8/10
5.5/10
Landscape
6.2/10
5.9/10
Wildlife
6.8/10
6.1/10
Casual
4.1/10
3.4/10
Food
5.4/10
5.5/10
Macro
4.9/10
5.1/10
Architecture
6.0/10
5.8/10
Astrophotography
6.5/10
4.7/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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