Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-3

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Pentax K-01 and the Pentax K-3, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Pentax K-01 was introduced in May 2012 and Pentax K-3 was introduced in April 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K-01 over Pentax K-3.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K-3 over Pentax K-01.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Pentax K-01 has a 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution and Pentax K-3 has a 3.2" screen with 1,037k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Pentax K-3

Pentax K-3 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Pentax K-01.

Pentax K-01 features a 16 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 372.1 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Pentax K-3 features a 23.35 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 51,200.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Pentax K-01 can take pictures up to 4928 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4352 x 3264, 4224 x 2816, 4928 x 2776, 4224 x 2376, 3840 x 2880, 3456 x 2304, 3456x1944, 3264 x 3264, 3072 x 2304, 2880 x 2880, 2688 x 1792, 2688 x 1512, 2304 x 2304, 2304 x 1728, 1728 x 1728 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Pentax K-3 is equipped with PRIME III processor and can take pictures up to 6016 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4608 x 3072, 3072 x 2048, 1920 x 1080 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Cameras have Pentax K_AF2 lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

No Low-Pass Filter on Pentax K-3

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Pentax K-3. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

In-Body Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when cameras are paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Pentax K-01 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Pentax K-3 has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-3 come with D-LI90 battery pack with battery life of 540 shots on Pentax K-01 and with battery life of 560 shots on Pentax K-3.

External Storage Slots

Pentax K-01 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot. Pentax K-3 has Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slots.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Pentax K-01, and up to 1/8000 sec on Pentax K-3. Pentax K-01 can shoot continuously up to 6.0 fps. Pentax K-3 can shoot continuously up to 8.3 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Pentax K-01 and 13.00 m at ISO 100 on Pentax K-3. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Pentax K-01 and via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal or Wireless connection to Pentax K-3. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on both cameras.

Pentax K-01 body has dimensions of 122 x 79 x 58 mm (4.8 x 3.11 x 2.28") and Pentax K-3 body has dimensions of 131 x 100 x 77 mm (5.16 x 3.94 x 3.03"). Pentax K-01 weighs 561 g (1.24 lb / 19.79 oz) and Pentax K-3 weighs 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz).

Pentax K-01

Pentax K-3

122 mm

79 mm

131 mm

100 mm

79 mm

100 mm

58 mm

77 mm