Pentax
K-3 II
24MP APS-C DSLR with pixel shift resolution, GPS, and no AA filter for detail-focused work.
$1,099
Launch priceReleased Apr 2015
Pentax
K-3 Mark III
APS-C DSLR flagship with optical viewfinder and weather sealing.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Apr 2021
K-3 Mark III is 6 years newer.
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Wins
K-3 II
Wins
K-3 Mark III
11 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BK-3 Mark III has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- BK-3 Mark III has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
- BK-3 Mark III has lower Weight (520 g vs 700 g)
- BK-3 Mark III has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 6 fps)
- BK-3 Mark III has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 15 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareK-3 II
132 × 102 × 78 mm
700 g (1.54 lb / 24.69 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
K-3 Mark III
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
K-3 II is 7mm narrower and 11mm thinner than K-3 Mark III but it is also 4mm taller.
K-3 II is 180 g heavier than K-3 Mark III.
Depth (front-to-back): 78mm K-3 II · 88mm K-3 Mark III
Sensor size, to scale
K-3 II
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
K-3 Mark III
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
K-3 II
✓ more lensesPentax K
70+
native lenses available
K-3 Mark III
✓ 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-3 II
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.5, 101.5, 77.5
Reasons to choose
K-3 Mark III
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Weight
520 g vs 700 g — lower is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Resolution
25.7 MP vs 24.4 MP — higher is better
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-3 II
Pros
- ✓Pixel shift hi-res
- ✓No AA filter
- ✓GPS built-in
- ✓Weather sealed
Cons
- –Superseded by K-3 III
- –DSLR
- –Limited video
K-3 Mark III
Pros
- ✓Optical viewfinder
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓IBIS in DSLR
Cons
- –DSLR system declining
- –APS-C
- –Limited video
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the K-3 II and K-3 Mark III at major authorized retailers.
Pentax K-3 II
Pentax K-3 Mark III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for vlogging, K-3 II or K-3 Mark III?
K-3 Mark III scores 7.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for K-3 II — 4K 60p for smooth handheld vlogs.
What's the resolution difference between the K-3 II and K-3 Mark III?
K-3 II is 24.4 MP and K-3 Mark III is 25.7 MP, so the K-3 Mark III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the K-3 II and K-3 Mark III have in-body image stabilization?
K-3 II has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while K-3 Mark III has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the K-3 II or the K-3 Mark III?
K-3 II reaches 15 fps electronic. K-3 Mark III reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the K-3 II and K-3 Mark III?
K-3 II weighs 700 g and K-3 Mark III weighs 520 g, so the K-3 Mark III is 180 g lighter.
Do the K-3 II and K-3 Mark III record 4K video?
K-3 II: 4K up to 60p. K-3 Mark III: 4K up to 60p.
Are the K-3 II and K-3 Mark III weather sealed?
K-3 II: Yes. K-3 Mark III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-3 II and 640 shots for the K-3 Mark III, giving the K-3 Mark III the edge.
How much does each cost?
K-3 II launched at $1,099 and K-3 Mark III at $1,999. The K-3 II is $900 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way K-3 II vs K-3 Mark III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.