• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Panasonic S5 II

  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Panasonic S5 II advantages over Pentax K-3 II

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.93 vs 3.91 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    5.9K vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    2 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    613k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 8.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 60 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 51200 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 II
Body Only (Black)
All K-3 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic S5 II

Review Excerpt

  • Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots

  • No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors

  • Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T6i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Panasonic S5 II
Canon T6i
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic S5 II vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II
Pentax KP
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Panasonic S5 II
Pentax KP
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic S5 II vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T7i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T7i

Panasonic S5 II
Canon T7i
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic S5 II vs Canon T7i

Compared to Nikon Z5

Pentax K-3 II
Nikon Z5
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Nikon Z5

Panasonic S5 II
Nikon Z5
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $1097
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic S5 II vs Nikon Z5

Compared to Panasonic S5 IIX

Pentax K-3 II
Panasonic S5 IIX
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
  • $2200
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Panasonic S5 IIX

Panasonic S5 II
Panasonic S5 IIX
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • $2200
  • 35mm

Compare Panasonic S5 II vs Panasonic S5 IIX

Compare Other Cameras?