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-70
Weather-sealed APS-C DSLR with IBIS and AA filter simulator.
$649
Launch priceReleased Jun 2016
K-3 Mark III Monochrome is 7.8 years newer.
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Wins
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
Wins
K-70
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)
- BK-70 has lower Weight (520 g vs 820 g)
- 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-70
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
K-3 Mark III Monochrome is 4mm narrower and 15mm thinner than K-70 but it is also 6mm taller.
K-3 Mark III Monochrome is 300 g heavier than K-70.
Depth (front-to-back): 74mm K-3 Mark III Monochrome · 88mm K-70
Sensor size, to scale
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
K-70
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
✓ more lensesPentax K
70+
native lenses available
K-70
✓ 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
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
Resolution
25.7 MP vs 24.2 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
K-70
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Weight
520 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-70
Pros
- ✓Weather sealed entry
- ✓IBIS in DSLR
- ✓Unique features
Cons
- –DSLR
- –24MP dated
- –Limited video
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and K-70 at major authorized retailers.
Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome
Pentax K-70
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, K-3 Mark III Monochrome or K-70?
K-70 scores 8.5/10 versus 6.5/10 for K-3 Mark III Monochrome — 520g — compact and travel-friendly.
What's the resolution difference between the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and K-70?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome is 25.7 MP and K-70 is 24.2 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-70 have in-body image stabilization?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while K-70 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the K-3 Mark III Monochrome or the K-70?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome reaches 20 fps electronic. K-70 reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and K-70?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome weighs 820 g and K-70 weighs 520 g, so the K-70 is 300 g lighter.
Do the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and K-70 record 4K video?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome: 4K up to 60p. K-70: 4K up to 60p.
Are the K-3 Mark III Monochrome and K-70 weather sealed?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome: Yes. K-70: 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-70, giving the K-70 the edge.
How much does each cost?
K-3 Mark III Monochrome launched at $2,199 and K-70 at $649. The K-70 is $1,550 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way K-3 Mark III Monochrome vs K-70 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.