Upgrade Guide
Pentax K-3 II→Pentax Pentax K-1 Mark II
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the K-3 II. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Pentax K-1 Mark II
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Resolution36MP vs 24MP (+12MP)
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Generation3 years newer (2018 vs 2015)
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-3 II | Pentax K-1 Mark II | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.7 | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Travel | -0.1 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.4 | ||
| Documentary | +0.1 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.9 | ||
| Landscape | +1.2 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.7 | ||
| Casual | +0.2 | ||
| Food | +1.5 | ||
| Macro | +0.9 | ||
| Architecture | +1.4 | ||
| Astrophotography | +1.2 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | K-3 II | Pentax K-1 Mark II | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £185 used | £1,899 | |
| Released | 2015 | 2018 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.35MP APS-C CMOS | 36.4MP full-frame CMOS (no AA filter) | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 36MP | ↑ |
| Video | Full HD 1080/60i, 30p | 1080p only, no 4K | |
| Autofocus | SAFOX 11 phase-detect AF, 27 points (25 cross-type) | SAFOX 12, 33-point DSLR phase-detect AF | |
| Stabilisation | Sensor-shift Shake Reduction, 4.5 stops | 5-axis Shake Reduction II (in-body) | |
| Burst Rate | 8.3fps | 4.4fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~720 shots (CIPA) | 670 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 785g (with battery) | 1010g (with battery and card) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism, ~100%, 0.95x | Optical pentaprism, 0.7x magnification, 100% coverage | |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots | Multi-axis tilting screen (up/down/side), no touchscreen | |
| Mount | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount) | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD slots | Dual SD (UHS-I) |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See K-3 II and Pentax K-1 Mark II next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Pentax K-1 Mark II against your specific genres — not just specs.
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