Pentax K-3 Mark IIIvs GR IIIx HDF
Pentax
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
Starting from £1699 new
Best for DSLR enthusiasts & outdoor photographers
View Pentax K-3 Mark III
Ricoh
GR IIIx HDF (2024)
Starting from £999 new
Best for Street & documentary photography with a distinctive aesthetic
View GR IIIx HDF
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
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.
Street & Documentary Photography With A Distinctive Aesthetic — GR IIIx HDF (2024): The GR IIIx with a built-in dream filter — for photographers who want the GR's legendary APS-C quality with an added layer of analogue magic.
Who should buy what
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
GR IIIx HDF (2024)
- GR IIIx fans who want the HDF bloom effect without using post-processing
- Street photographers who want a distinctive, instantly recognisable aesthetic
- Film photography enthusiasts who want to replicate analogue optical character digitally
- GR III owners ready to upgrade to the 40mm equivalent perspective
Quick take: The pentax k-3 mark iii has the highest resolution at 26mp; the gr iiix hdf is the most affordable; only the pentax k-3 mark iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) | GR IIIx HDF (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,699 | £999 |
| Sensor | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 25.7MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 1920 × 1080 / 60fps |
| Autofocus | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) | Phase/contrast hybrid CDAF with Snap Focus |
| Stabilisation | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) | 3-axis Shake Reduction (SR) — 4 stops |
| Burst Rate | 12fps | 4fps continuous |
| Battery Life | 800 shots (CIPA) | ~200 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 820g body only | 262g body only |
| Dimensions | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm | 122.5 × 69.5 × 35.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification | None — rear LCD only |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fixed LCD touchscreen, 1.037M dots |
| Mount | Pentax KF-mount | Fixed GR Lens 26.1mm f/2.8 (40mm equivalent) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Single SD/SDHC/SDXC slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Pentax K-3 Mark III | GR IIIx HDF |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | ||
| Wildlife | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Sports | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history