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PENTAX K-1 Mark II vs PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

PENTAXK-1 Mark IIPENTAXK-3 Mark III Monochrome
Overview
ReleasedApril 2018April 2023
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOS without an optical low-pass filterMonochrome CMOS without colour or optical low-pass filters
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 24 mm23.3 × 15.5 mm
Effective resolution36.4 MP25.73 MP
Largest image7360 × 49126192 × 4128
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–819200200–1600000
Sensor detail36.4 effective megapixels, 36.77 total; no optical low-pass filter. Sensor-shift anti-aliasing simulator offers moiré reduction25.73 effective and 26.78 total megapixels; monochrome CMOS records brightness at each pixel without a colour filter array or demosaicing
Image formats14-bit PEF or DNG RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW/JPEG; full-frame and APS-C crop. Tripod pixel shift combines four sensor-shifted exposures; Dynamic handheld mode aligns four shots without eliminating Bayer interpolation14-bit PEF or DNG RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW/JPEG; monochrome-only Standard, Hard and Soft image profiles
ISO detailMaker standard sensitivity ISO 100–819200; no separate expanded range listedMaker standard range ISO 200–1600000; no separate expanded range stated
Image processorPRIME IV with an accelerator unit–
Lens and shooting
Lens mountPENTAX KAF2 bayonet mountPENTAX KAF2 bayonet mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst6.4 fps12 fps
Lens detailKAF4, KAF3, KAF2 including power zoom, KAF and KA lenses; native KAF2 bayonet with autofocus coupler, information and power contactsKAF4, KAF3, KAF2 including power zoom, KAF and KA lens compatibility; native KAF2 bayonet includes autofocus coupler, information and power contacts
AutofocusSAFOX 12 phase detection through viewfinder, 33 points including 25 central cross-type points, EV −3 to 18 at ISO 100; contrast detection in live viewSAFOX 13 through-viewfinder phase detection, 101 points including 25 cross-type; EV −3 to 19 at ISO 200, with −3 limited to f/2.8-flux-compatible points and lens. Contrast-detection live view with face detection, touch AF and focus peaking
ShutterMechanical focal-plane shutter 1/8000–30 seconds, Bulb and optional timed Bulb 10 seconds–20 minutes; electronic shutter available in live view and tripod pixel shiftMechanical focal-plane shutter 1/8000–30 seconds and Bulb; electronic shutter up to 1/16000 second; timed Bulb 1 second–20 minutes
Burst detailMaximum 4.4 fps at full-frame resolution with up to 70 JPEGs or 17 RAW files; 6.4 fps in 15-megapixel APS-C crop with up to 100 JPEGs or 50 RAW files, at ISO 100Up to 12 fps with approximately 55 JPEGs, 32 RAW or 30 RAW/JPEG pairs at ISO 200; speed and buffer depend on lens, aperture, shutter, sensitivity and card. AP measured lower speeds with a pre-production sample
Stabilisation detailFive-axis sensor-shift SR II; maker claims five shutter-speed steps. Built-in GPS supports Astrotracer; horizon and composition adjustment use the sensor-shift mechanismFive-axis sensor-shift SR II with Auto, Panning and Off modes; anti-aliasing simulator and horizon/composition adjustment. Astrotracer Types 1/2 require an optional O-GPS unit; Type 3 also listed by maker
FlashHot shoe and X-sync socket for external flash, sync 1/200 secondExternal flash hot shoe and X-sync socket, 1/200-second sync
Exposure controlsPASM, sensitivity priority and combined shutter/aperture priority; ±5 EV exposure compensation and 86,000-pixel RGB metering sensorPASM, sensitivity priority, combined shutter/aperture priority and five saved user modes; ±5 EV compensation; 307,000-pixel RGBIr metering sensor
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 30 fps3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Video detailFull HD 1920×1080 at 30/25/24 progressive frames or 60i/50i fields; 1280×720 at 60/50p. H.264 MOV, up to 25 minutes or 4 GB. 4K is interval-movie output only, not continuous videoMonochrome H.264 MOV; UHD 3840×2160 at 30/24p, Full HD 1920×1080 at 60/30/24p. Maker limit 25 minutes or 4 GB, with temperature-dependent shutdown. No 120p mode inferred from the AP table
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphone, external stereo mic input and headphone monitoring; adjustable recording level and wind-noise reductionBuilt-in stereo microphone; external stereo microphone input, headphone terminal, recording-level adjustment and wind-noise reduction
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots1,037,0001,620,000
TouchscreenNoYes
Tilting screenYesNo
Display detail3.2-inch flexible-tilt LCD, approximately 1.037 million dots; outdoor-view and red night-vision settings. No touchscreen, as DPReview confirmsFixed 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, approximately 1.62 million dots; outdoor-view adjustment and night-vision display
Viewfinder detailOptical pentaprism, approximately 100% coverage and 0.70× magnification with FA 50mm F1.4 focused at infinity; eye relief 20.6 mm from view windowOptical pentaprism, approximately 100% coverage and 1.05× magnification with FA 50mm F1.4 at infinity; 20.5 mm eye relief from view window. AP's approximately 0.7× figure is equivalent magnification
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
Bluetooth–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)670 photographs800 photographs
Body weight925 g735 g
Release detailPentax Europe's current product table confirms April 2018 market launch; original Japanese launch notice stated late April. Earliest worldwide retail day unconfirmed, so month precision retained. Later Ricoh notice announces ending current K-series production; surviving range pages do not prove ongoing productionMaker Japan notice confirms 28 April 2023 local sale; earliest worldwide and UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained. Later Ricoh notice announces ending current K-series production; surviving range pages do not prove ongoing production
Recording mediaTwo UHS-I SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; sequential, duplicate or separate RAW/JPEG recordingTwo SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; slot 1 supports UHS-II, slot 2 UHS-I. Sequential, duplicate or separate RAW/JPEG recording
PortsMicro-B USB 2.0, Type D micro-HDMI, microphone and headphone sockets, external power, cable switch and X-sync terminalsUSB-C USB 3.2 Gen 1, Type D micro-HDMI, microphone and headphone terminals, 2.5 mm cable-switch terminal and X-sync socket
Wireless connectionsIEEE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz; built-in GPS, QZSS/SBAS reception and electronic compassIEEE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy
Battery life detailD-LI90P rechargeable lithium-ion battery; approximately 670 shots under CIPA conditions, or 340 minutes playbackD-LI90 lithium-ion battery; approximately 800 shots CIPA or 250 minutes playback
ChargingIncluded D-BC90 external battery charger; optional K-AC167 AC adapter kitUSB-C in-camera charging; USB power adapter supplied, optional AC adapter required for the maker's external power-supply arrangement
DimensionsApproximately 136.5 × 110 × 85.5 mm, excluding protrusionsApproximately 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5 mm, excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 925 g body only; 1010 g including battery and SD cardApproximately 735 g body only; 820 g with battery and SD card
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy exterior and maker −10°C operating limit; weather resistance is not a waterproof ratingDust and weather resistant magnesium-alloy construction described in Amateur Photographer's pre-production test; maker operating temperature −10 to 40°C
ColoursStandard black body; limited cosmetic editions not separate generationsBlack with grey markings and silver SR badge; Matte Black Edition is a cosmetic finish, not another generation
In the boxD-LI90P battery, D-BC90 charger and AC cord, strap, viewfinder cap, eyecup, body cap, hot-shoe and connector covers, strap rings and Digital Camera Utility 5 CD-ROMD-LI90 battery, USB power adapter and plug, I-USB166 cable, strap, eyecup, viewfinder/body/hot-shoe/connector covers and strap rings; Digital Camera Utility 5 installer in camera, regional contents may vary

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