Pentax K-3 Mark IIIvs A7R
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?
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.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
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
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r 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) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,699 | £349 |
| Sensor | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 25.7MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) | None |
| Burst Rate | 12fps | 4fps |
| Battery Life | 800 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 820g body only | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Pentax KF-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Pentax K-3 Mark III | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Architecture | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with Pentax K-3 Mark III
Camera family history