Upgrade Guide
Pentax K-1→Pentax K-3 II
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the K-1. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the K-3 II
-
Burst rate8.3fps vs 4.4fps
Unchanged or similar
-
Resolution24MP (down from 36MP — optimised for low light)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | K-1 | K-3 II | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.8 | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Travel | — | ||
| Wedding & Events | -0.5 | ||
| Documentary | -0.1 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.7 | ||
| Landscape | -1.2 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.5 | ||
| Casual | — | ||
| Food | -1.4 | ||
| Macro | -0.9 | ||
| Architecture | -1.3 | ||
| Astrophotography | -1.2 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | K-1 | K-3 II | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £475 used | £185 used | |
| Released | 2016 | 2015 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 36.4MP full-frame CMOS | 24.35MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 36MP | 24MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080/60i, 30p | Full HD 1080/60i, 30p | |
| Autofocus | SAFOX 12 phase-detect AF, 33 points (25 cross-type) | SAFOX 11 phase-detect AF, 27 points (25 cross-type) | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis sensor-shift Shake Reduction II, 5 stops | Sensor-shift Shake Reduction, 4.5 stops | |
| Burst Rate | 4.4fps | 8.3fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~760 shots (CIPA) | ~720 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 1010g (with battery) | 785g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism, ~100%, 0.70x | Pentaprism, ~100%, 0.95x | |
| Screen | 3.2" Flexible-tilt LCD, 1.04M dots | 3.2" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots | |
| Mount | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount) | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD slots | Dual SD slots |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See K-1 and K-3 II next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the K-3 II against your specific genres — not just specs.
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