Upgrade Guide
Pentax K-1→Pentax Pentax K-3 Mark III
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the K-1. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Pentax K-3 Mark III
-
StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
-
Burst rate12fps vs 4.4fps
-
Generation5 years newer (2021 vs 2016)
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution26MP (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 | Pentax K-3 Mark III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.2 | ||
| Street | +0.3 | ||
| Travel | +0.3 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.2 | ||
| Documentary | +0.9 | ||
| Sports & Action | +1.3 | ||
| Landscape | -0.8 | ||
| Wildlife | +1.0 | ||
| Casual | +1.0 | ||
| Food | -0.5 | ||
| Macro | -0.4 | ||
| Architecture | -0.8 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.8 | ||
| Filmmaking | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | K-1 | Pentax K-3 Mark III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £475 used | £1,048 used | |
| Released | 2016 | 2021 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 36.4MP full-frame CMOS | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) | |
| Resolution | 36MP | 26MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080/60i, 30p | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | SAFOX 12 phase-detect AF, 33 points (25 cross-type) | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis sensor-shift Shake Reduction II, 5 stops | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) | |
| Burst Rate | 4.4fps | 12fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~760 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 1010g (with battery) | 820g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism, ~100%, 0.70x | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification | |
| Screen | 3.2" Flexible-tilt LCD, 1.04M dots | 3.2" fixed touchscreen | |
| Mount | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount) | Pentax KF-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD slots | Dual SD UHS-II |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See K-1 and Pentax K-3 Mark III 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 Pentax K-3 Mark III against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the K-1
Camera family history