Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs.
In this section, We are going to illustrate Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP. Pentax K-3 is 1mm narrower and 1mm shorter than Pentax KP but it is also 1mm thicker.
Here is the back view size comparison of Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP.
Now lets look at the top view comparison of Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP.
Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day.
Pentax KP is 97g lighter than the Pentax K-3 but we don't think this will make a significant difference.
Also keep in mind that body weight is not the only deciding factor when comparing two interchangeable camera bodies, you have to also take into account the lenses that you will be using with these bodies. Since both Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP have the same APS-C sized sensor, their lenses for a similar focal length and aperture will be similar in size and weight.
Weight Comparison
DSLR Cameras
Thickness Comparison
DSLR Cameras
Weather Sealing
Both K-3 and KP have weather sealings in their body, making them resistant to water and dust.
LCD Screen Size and Features
Pentax K-3's 3.2" LCD screen is slightly larger than Pentax KP's 3" screen.
Both Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP have APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.
Another difference between these two cameras is that Pentax K-3's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moire occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the K-3 and KP sensor size comparison.
Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP have sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
In this section, we rank and compare Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.
Pentax K-3 for Portrait Photography
Pentax KP for Portrait Photography
Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 24.0MP
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 24.0MP
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Pentax K-3 for Street Photography
Pentax KP for Street Photography
Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Large Body
Read the details
Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
Large Body
Read the details
Pentax K-3 for Sports Photography
Pentax KP for Sports Photography
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Fast Continuous Shooting: 8.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/8000s
25 Cross Type Focus sensors
27 Focus Points
Good Battery Life: 560 shots
Good Low Light ISO
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Good Ergonomics&Handling
Fast Continuous Shooting: 7.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/6000s
25 Cross Type Focus sensors
27 Focus Points
Good Low Light ISO
Wireless Connection
Read the details
Pentax K-3 for Daily Photography
Pentax KP for Daily Photography
Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Environmental Sealings
Large Body
800g
Body Thickness 77mm
Read the details
Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Environmental Sealings
Large Body
703g
Body Thickness 76mm
Read the details
Pentax K-3 for Landscape Photography
Pentax KP for Landscape Photography
Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 24.0MP
Environmental Sealings
Live-view
Read the details
Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 24.0MP
Environmental Sealings
Live-view
Read the details
Number of available lenses is a big decision factor while choosing your interchangeable lens camera. Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP have the same Pentax KAF2 lens mount and currently there are 148 native lenses available for these cameras.
Another important factor is the availability of image stabilization. Both Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP has Sensor based Image stabilization which means that all the lenses will be stabilized in these bodies.
| Lens Type |
# of Pentax K-3 Lenses |
# of Pentax KP Lenses |
| Standard Zoom |
22 |
22 |
| Standard Prime |
19 |
19 |
| Wideangle Zoom |
11 |
11 |
| Wideangle Prime |
24 |
24 |
| Telephoto Zoom |
20 |
20 |
| Telephoto Prime |
12 |
12 |
| SuperZoom |
15 |
15 |
| Wideangle Fisheye Prime |
3 |
3 |
| Macro Prime |
14 |
14 |
| Perspective Control Prime |
8 |
8 |
| Telephoto Mirror Prime |
n/a |
n/a |
| TOTAL |
148 |
148 |
You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP, below you can find their scores in five different aspects.
Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.
Here is a summary of how Pentax K-3 and Pentax KP scores compare:
Pentax K-3
Ranked
#16 out of 93 in Mid-size SLR cameras
Ranked
#46 out of 1181 in all Cameras
Pentax KP
Ranked
#27 out of 93 in Mid-size SLR cameras
Ranked
#84 out of 1181 in all Cameras
Pentax K-3 has a higher Overall Score than the Pentax KP and would be our choice if we have to decide between these two cameras.
| General |
Pentax K-3 |
Pentax KP |
| Brand |
Pentax |
Pentax |
| Announced |
2014-04-10 |
2017-01-26 |
| Body Type |
Mid-size SLR |
Mid-size SLR |
Sensor |
|
|
| Type |
CMOS |
CMOS |
| Size |
APS-C |
APS-C |
| Dimensions |
23.5 x 15.6 mm |
23.5 x 15.6 mm |
| Area |
366.60mm2 |
366.60mm2 |
| Megapixels |
24 megapixels |
24 megapixels |
| Max Resolution |
6016 x 4000 |
6016 x 4000 |
| Max Native Light sensitivity |
51,200 ISO |
819,200 ISO |
| Min Native Light sensitivity |
100 ISO |
100 ISO |
| RAW Support |
|
|
Autofocus |
|
|
| AF Touch |
|
|
| AF Continuous |
|
|
| AF Single |
|
|
| AF Tracking |
|
|
| AF Selective |
|
|
| AF Center |
|
|
| AF Multi Area |
|
|
| AF Live View |
|
|
| AF Face Detection |
|
|
| AF Contrast Detection |
|
|
| AF Phase Detection |
|
|
| Number of Focus Points |
27 |
27 |
Lens |
|
|
| Manual Focus |
|
|
| Lens Mount |
Pentax KAF2 |
Pentax KAF2 |
| Number of Available Lenses |
148 |
148 |
Screen |
|
|
| Type |
Fixed type |
Tilting |
| Size |
3.2" |
3" |
| Resolution |
1,037k dots |
921k dots |
| Touch Screen |
|
|
Viewfinder |
|
|
| Viewfinder |
Optical (pentaprism) |
Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder Coverage |
100% |
100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification |
0.64 |
0.63 |
Photography Features |
|
|
| Max Shutter Speed |
1/8000s |
1/6000s |
| Shutter Priority |
|
|
| Aperture Priority |
|
|
| Manual Exposure Mode |
|
|
| Custom White Balance |
|
|
| Image Stabilization |
Sensor-shift |
Sensor-shift |
| Built-in Flash |
|
|
| Flash Range |
13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
6.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Max Flash Sync |
1/180s |
n/a |
| External Flash |
|
|
| Continuous Shooting |
8.0 fps |
7.0 fps |
| Multi-Segment |
|
|
| Average |
|
|
| Spot |
|
|
| Partial |
|
|
| AF-Area |
|
|
| Center Weighted |
|
|
| AE Bracketing |
|
|
| WB Bracketing |
|
|
Video Features |
|
|
| Max Video Resolution |
1920 x 1080 |
1920 x 1080 |
| Video Formats |
MPEG-4, H.264 |
MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone Port |
|
|
| Headphone Port |
|
|
Connectivity |
|
|
| Wireless Connectivity |
None |
Built-In |
| HDMI |
|
|
Physical |
|
|
| Environmental Sealing |
|
|
| Weight |
800g |
703g |
| Dimensions |
131 x 100 x 77mm |
132 x 101 x 76mm |
| Battery Life |
560 shots |
390 shots |
Other Features |
|
|
| Timelapse Recording |
|
|
| GPS |
Optional |
Optional |
DxO Sensor Scores |
|
|
| DxO Overall Score |
80 |
not tested |
| DxO Color Depth |
23.7 |
not tested |
| DxO Dynamic Range |
13.4 |
not tested |
| DxO Low Light ISO |
1216 |
not tested |
|
Report a correction |
Report a correction |