Fujifilm X-E1 vs Pentax K-3

Cameras
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Fujifilm X-E1 vs Pentax K-3

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APS-C 368.2mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Fujifilm X-E1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the X-E1.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Fujifilm X-E2
Compare X-E1 vs X-E2

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Compare FUJIFILM X-E2 vs PENTAX K-3 II

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Differences

Fujifilm X-E1 advantages over Pentax K-3

Bigger pixels
~ 4.82 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Thinner
38 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
687g vs 1240g
Lighter weight

Pentax K-3 advantages over Fujifilm X-E1

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1150 vs $1400 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

560 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 84 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More dots on screen
1037k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.44 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 16 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 12 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read X-E1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

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Buy the Fujifilm X-E1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All X-E1 Deals

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

Review Excerpt

Produces superior image quality that's better than many DSLRs; Handsome and functional camera design recalls classic rangefinder models; Surprisingly good kit lens.
Mixed-bag operational performance, with sluggish startup and mediocre autofocus speed and shot-to-shot times; Video quality is only so-so.
Read our Fujifilm X-E1 Review

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX300

Fujifilm X-E1

Samsung NX300

$899
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$1200
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Fujifilm X-E1 vs Samsung NX300

Pentax K-3

Samsung NX300

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$1200
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Samsung NX300

Compared to Nikon D7100

Fujifilm X-E1

Nikon D7100

$899
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$750
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Fujifilm X-E1 vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$750
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Fujifilm X-E1

Fujifilm X-E2

$899
APS-C

$899
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Fujifilm X-E1 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Pentax K-3

Fujifilm X-E2

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$899
APS-C

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Compared to Nikon D7200

Fujifilm X-E1

Nikon D7200

$899
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$1021
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Fujifilm X-E1 vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1021
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Fujifilm X-T10

Fujifilm X-E1

Fujifilm X-T10

$899
APS-C

Bigger JPEG buffer
Bigger RAW buffer

$1099
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

Compare Fujifilm X-E1 vs Fujifilm X-T10

Pentax K-3

Fujifilm X-T10

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1099
APS-C

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm X-T10

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