Upgrade Guide
Pentax KF→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 KF. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Pentax K-3 Mark III
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StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
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Burst rate12fps vs 6fps
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Battery life800 shots (CIPA) vs ~410 shots (CIPA)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (26MP)
Suitability by genre
| Genre | KF | Pentax K-3 Mark III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape | +0.5 | ||
| Travel | -1.0 | ||
| Portrait | -0.5 | ||
| Wildlife | +1.5 | ||
| Casual | — | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Vlogging & Video | -0.5 | ||
| Sports & Action | +3.0 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | KF | Pentax K-3 Mark III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £700 | £1,699 | |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 26MP | ↑ |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | SAFOX 13 phase-detect AF with 11 points | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) | |
| Stabilisation | In-body Shake Reduction (SR II), up to 5.5 stops | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) | |
| Burst Rate | 6fps | 12fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~410 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 643g (body only) | 820g body only | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 0.95× magnification, ~100% coverage | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification | |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | |
| Mount | Pentax KF-mount | Pentax KF-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD UHS-II |
Compare side-by-side
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