Pentax
K-1 Mark II
36MP full-frame DSLR with IBIS and rugged build.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Feb 2018
Pentax
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
Monochrome-only APS-C DSLR with 25.7MP sensor, IBIS, optical viewfinder, and weather sealing.
$2,199
Launch priceReleased Apr 2024
K-3 Mark III Monochrome is 6.2 years newer.
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Wins
K-1 Mark II
Wins
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
15 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AK-1 Mark II has higher Resolution (36 MP vs 25.7 MP)
- AK-1 Mark II has higher IBIS effectiveness (7 stops vs 5.5 stops)
- AK-1 Mark II has lower Weight (720 g vs 820 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareK-1 Mark II
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
135 × 104 × 74 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
K-1 Mark II is 6mm shorter than K-3 Mark III Monochrome but it is also 4mm wider and 15mm thicker.
K-1 Mark II is 100 g lighter than K-3 Mark III Monochrome.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm K-1 Mark II · 74mm K-3 Mark III Monochrome
Sensor size, to scale
K-1 Mark II
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
2.4× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
K-1 Mark II
✓ more lensesPentax K
70+
native lenses available
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
✓ more lensesPentax K
70+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
K-1 Mark II
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
AA filter
Only K-1 Mark II supports it
Resolution
36 MP vs 25.7 MP — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better
Weight
720 g vs 820 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.5, 103.5, 73.5
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 101
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
K-1 Mark II
Pros
- ✓36MP FF DSLR
- ✓IBIS
- ✓Rugged
- ✓Affordable used
Cons
- –DSLR
- –Slow AF
- –Heavy
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
Pros
- ✓Dedicated monochrome sensor
- ✓Optical viewfinder
- ✓IBIS in a DSLR
- ✓Weather sealed
Cons
- –Black-and-white only
- –DSLR platform
- –Limited video
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the K-1 Mark II and K-3 Mark III Monochrome at major authorized retailers.
Pentax K-1 Mark II
Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, K-1 Mark II or K-3 Mark III Monochrome?
K-1 Mark II scores 7.5/10 versus 5.0/10 for K-3 Mark III Monochrome — 36MP — ample resolution.
What's the resolution difference between the K-1 Mark II and K-3 Mark III Monochrome?
K-1 Mark II is 36 MP and K-3 Mark III Monochrome is 25.7 MP, so the K-1 Mark II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the K-1 Mark II and K-3 Mark III Monochrome have in-body image stabilization?
K-1 Mark II has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while K-3 Mark III Monochrome has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the K-1 Mark II or the K-3 Mark III Monochrome?
K-1 Mark II reaches 20 fps electronic. K-3 Mark III Monochrome reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the K-1 Mark II and K-3 Mark III Monochrome?
K-1 Mark II weighs 720 g and K-3 Mark III Monochrome weighs 820 g, so the K-1 Mark II is 100 g lighter.
Do the K-1 Mark II and K-3 Mark III Monochrome record 4K video?
K-1 Mark II: 4K up to 60p. K-3 Mark III Monochrome: 4K up to 60p.
Are the K-1 Mark II and K-3 Mark III Monochrome weather sealed?
K-1 Mark II: Yes. K-3 Mark III Monochrome: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-1 Mark II and 640 shots for the K-3 Mark III Monochrome, giving the K-3 Mark III Monochrome the edge.
How much does each cost?
K-1 Mark II launched at $1,999 and K-3 Mark III Monochrome at $2,199. The K-1 Mark II is $200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way K-1 Mark II vs K-3 Mark III Monochrome vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.