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
Pentax
K-5 IIs
APS-C flagship without AA filter for maximum sharpness — a cult favorite among Pentax stills shooters.
$1,099
Launch priceReleased Sep 2012
K-3 Mark III Monochrome is 11.6 years newer.
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Wins
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
Wins
K-5 IIs
11 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AK-3 Mark III Monochrome has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- AK-3 Mark III Monochrome has higher Resolution (25.7 MP vs 16.3 MP)
- AK-3 Mark III Monochrome has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
- AK-3 Mark III Monochrome has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 6 fps)
- AK-3 Mark III Monochrome 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 Mark III Monochrome
135 × 104 × 74 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
K-5 IIs
131 × 97 × 73 mm
710 g (1.57 lb / 25.04 oz)
K-3 Mark III Monochrome is 4mm wider, 7mm taller, and 1mm thicker than K-5 IIs.
K-3 Mark III Monochrome is 110 g heavier than K-5 IIs.
Depth (front-to-back): 74mm K-3 Mark III Monochrome · 73mm K-5 IIs
Sensor size, to scale
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
K-5 IIs
23.7 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
372 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
✓ more lensesPentax K
70+
native lenses available
K-5 IIs
✓ 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 Mark III Monochrome
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.5, 103.5, 73.5
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Resolution
25.7 MP vs 16.3 MP — higher is better
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
K-5 IIs
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131, 97, 73
Weight
710 g vs 820 g — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 5.5 stops — 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 Mark III Monochrome
Pros
- ✓Dedicated monochrome sensor
- ✓Optical viewfinder
- ✓IBIS in a DSLR
- ✓Weather sealed
Cons
- –Black-and-white only
- –DSLR platform
- –Limited video
K-5 IIs
Pros
- ✓No AA filter
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Excellent build
- ✓Strong JPEG engine
Cons
- –16MP dated
- –Slow AF
- –DSLR declining
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and K-5 IIs at major authorized retailers.
Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome
Pentax K-5 IIs
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, K-3 Mark III Monochrome or K-5 IIs?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome scores 10.0/10 versus 8.0/10 for K-5 IIs — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and K-5 IIs?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome is 25.7 MP and K-5 IIs is 16.3 MP, so the K-3 Mark III Monochrome captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and K-5 IIs have in-body image stabilization?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while K-5 IIs has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the K-3 Mark III Monochrome or the K-5 IIs?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome reaches 20 fps electronic. K-5 IIs reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and K-5 IIs?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome weighs 820 g and K-5 IIs weighs 710 g, so the K-5 IIs is 110 g lighter.
Do the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and K-5 IIs record 4K video?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome: 4K up to 60p. K-5 IIs: 4K up to 60p.
Are the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and K-5 IIs weather sealed?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome: Yes. K-5 IIs: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and 640 shots for the K-5 IIs, giving the K-5 IIs the edge.
How much does each cost?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome launched at $2,199 and K-5 IIs at $1,099. The K-5 IIs is $1,100 less.
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Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.