Pentax K-3 Mark IIIvs ZV-E1
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.
Video Creators, Vloggers & Filmmakers — ZV-E1 (2023): Full-frame video quality in a vlogging body — exceptional low-light performance and a genuinely compact form factor.
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
ZV-E1 (2023)
- Video creators who want full-frame low-light quality in a compact body
- Vloggers stepping up from APS-C who prioritise image quality over resolution
- Filmmakers who want S-Log3 and cinematic colour in a run-and-gun package
- A7S III users who want the same sensor in a smaller, lighter body
Quick take: The pentax k-3 mark iii has the highest resolution at 26mp; the pentax k-3 mark iii 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) | ZV-E1 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,699 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 25.7MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) | Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) | IBIS — Active Mode for video |
| Burst Rate | 12fps | 10fps |
| Battery Life | 800 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min video |
| Weight | 820g body only | 483g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification | None — screen only |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Pentax KF-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Single CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Pentax K-3 Mark III | ZV-E1 |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Street | — |
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