Pentax
K-3 Mark III
APS-C DSLR flagship with optical viewfinder and weather sealing.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Apr 2021
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 3 years newer.
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Wins
K-3 Mark III
Wins
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
16 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AK-3 Mark III has lower Weight (520 g vs 820 g)
- AK-3 Mark III has higher IBIS effectiveness (7 stops vs 5.5 stops)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareK-3 Mark III
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 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-3 Mark III is 6mm shorter than K-3 Mark III Monochrome but it is also 4mm wider and 15mm thicker.
K-3 Mark III is 300 g lighter than K-3 Mark III Monochrome.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm K-3 Mark III · 74mm K-3 Mark III Monochrome
Sensor size, to scale
K-3 Mark III
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
K-3 Mark III Monochrome
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
K-3 Mark III
✓ 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-3 Mark III
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Weight
520 g vs 820 g — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher 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
- ✓Resolution — Both 25.7 MP
- ✓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
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
K-3 Mark III
Pros
- ✓Optical viewfinder
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓IBIS in DSLR
Cons
- –DSLR system declining
- –APS-C
- –Limited video
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-3 Mark III and K-3 Mark III Monochrome at major authorized retailers.
Pentax K-3 Mark III
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 travel, K-3 Mark III or K-3 Mark III Monochrome?
K-3 Mark III 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 and K-3 Mark III Monochrome?
Both cameras share the same 25.7 MP resolution.
Do the K-3 Mark III and K-3 Mark III Monochrome have in-body image stabilization?
K-3 Mark III 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-3 Mark III or the K-3 Mark III Monochrome?
K-3 Mark III reaches 20 fps electronic. K-3 Mark III Monochrome reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the K-3 Mark III and K-3 Mark III Monochrome?
K-3 Mark III weighs 520 g and K-3 Mark III Monochrome weighs 820 g, so the K-3 Mark III is 300 g lighter.
Do the K-3 Mark III and K-3 Mark III Monochrome record 4K video?
K-3 Mark III: 4K up to 60p. K-3 Mark III Monochrome: 4K up to 60p.
Are the K-3 Mark III and K-3 Mark III Monochrome weather sealed?
K-3 Mark III: Yes. K-3 Mark III Monochrome: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-3 Mark III 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-3 Mark III launched at $1,999 and K-3 Mark III Monochrome at $2,199. The K-3 Mark III is $200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way K-3 Mark III vs K-3 Mark III Monochrome vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.