Upgrade Guide
Pentax K-3 II→Pentax KP
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
→
Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the K-3 II. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the KP
-
Generation2 years newer (2017 vs 2015)
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (24MP)
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 | KP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | ||
| Street | +0.4 | ||
| Travel | +0.2 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.3 | ||
| Documentary | -0.4 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.7 | ||
| Landscape | +0.1 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.2 | ||
| Casual | +0.3 | ||
| Food | +1.0 | ||
| Macro | +0.7 | ||
| Architecture | +0.3 | ||
| Astrophotography | -1.4 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | K-3 II | KP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £185 used | £253 used | |
| Released | 2015 | 2017 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.35MP APS-C CMOS | 24.32MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 24MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080/60i, 30p | Full HD 1080/60i, 30p | |
| Autofocus | SAFOX 11 phase-detect AF, 27 points (25 cross-type) | SAFOX 11 phase-detect AF, 27 points (25 cross-type) | |
| Stabilisation | Sensor-shift Shake Reduction, 4.5 stops | 5-axis sensor-shift Shake Reduction II, 5 stops | |
| Burst Rate | 8.3fps | 7fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~720 shots (CIPA) | ~390 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 785g (with battery) | 703g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism, ~100%, 0.95x | Pentaprism, ~100%, 0.95x | |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed LCD, 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 921k dots | |
| Mount | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount) | Pentax KAF2 (K-mount) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD slots | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See K-3 II and KP 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 KP against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the K-3 II
Related buying guides
Camera family history