Pentax
K-3 Mark III
APS-C DSLR flagship with optical viewfinder and weather sealing.
$1,999
Released Apr 2021
Pentax
KF
Updated K-70 with modern connectivity and the same rugged Pentax philosophy.
$849
Released Nov 2022
KF is 1.5 years newer.
Wins
K-3 Mark III
Wins
KF
12 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AK-3 Mark III has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- AK-3 Mark III has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
- AK-3 Mark III has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 6 fps)
- AK-3 Mark III has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 15 fps)
- AK-3 Mark III has higher IBIS effectiveness (7 stops vs 6 stops)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
K-3 Mark III
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
KF
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
K-3 Mark III and KF share virtually identical body dimensions.
K-3 Mark III and KF weigh the same.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm K-3 Mark III · 88mm KF
Sensor size, to scale
K-3 Mark III
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
KF
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
KF
✓ 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
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
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Resolution
25.7 MP vs 24.2 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
KF
No major advantages on measured specs.
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
Pros
- ✓Optical viewfinder
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓IBIS in DSLR
Cons
- –DSLR system declining
- –APS-C
- –Limited video
KF
Pros
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓IBIS
- ✓Affordable DSLR
Cons
- –DSLR platform
- –No 4K
- –Niche ecosystem
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, K-3 Mark III or KF?
K-3 Mark III scores 10.0/10 versus 9.0/10 for KF — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the K-3 Mark III and KF?
K-3 Mark III is 25.7 MP and KF is 24.2 MP, so the K-3 Mark III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the K-3 Mark III and KF have in-body image stabilization?
K-3 Mark III has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while kF has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the K-3 Mark III or the KF?
K-3 Mark III reaches 20 fps electronic. KF reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the K-3 Mark III and KF?
Both bodies weigh roughly 520 g.
Do the K-3 Mark III and KF record 4K video?
K-3 Mark III: 4K up to 60p. KF: 4K up to 60p.
Are the K-3 Mark III and KF weather sealed?
K-3 Mark III: Yes. KF: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-3 Mark III and 640 shots for the KF, giving the KF the edge.
How much does each cost?
K-3 Mark III launched at $1,999 and KF at $849. The KF is $1,150 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.