Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Cameras
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Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm X-T1

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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.

APS-C 368.2mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Fujifilm X-T1 Review.
How does it shoot? Fujifilm X-T1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the X-T1.
Compare Fujifilm X-T1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Fujifilm X-T1 conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Fujifilm X-T2
Compare X-T1 vs X-T2

Compare PENTAX K-3 II vs FUJIFILM X-T2

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Fujifilm X-T1

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 1.4 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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
24.4 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Fujifilm X-T1 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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
46 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
771g vs 1240g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.77x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster JPEG shooting
8.3 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.2 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read X-T1 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

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Buy the Fujifilm X-T1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All X-T1 Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Excellent image quality; Solid, weather-sealed body; Retro design that actually makes sense in a digital camera; Very low viewfinder lag for single-servo shooting; Fast burst shooting with great buffer depths; In-camera Wi-Fi connectivity
Exposure compensation dial is easily bumped; Four-way controller buttons are hard to press; Significant viewfinder lag for burst shooting; No raw files above ISO 6,400; Default settings strongly limit JPEG dynamic range
Read our Fujifilm X-T1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Fujifilm X-T1

Nikon D7100

$1099
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$690
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Fujifilm X-T1 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Fujifilm X-T1

Nikon D5300

$1099
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Fujifilm X-T1 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Samsung NX30

Pentax K-3

Samsung NX30

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Samsung NX30

Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX30

$1099
APS-C

Lens selection
More viewfinder magnification

$899
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Fujifilm X-T1 vs Samsung NX30

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Fujifilm X-T1

Nikon D7200

$1099
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$1016
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Fujifilm X-T1 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to 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

Fujifilm X-T1

Fujifilm X-T10

$1099
APS-C

More viewfinder magnification
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1099
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Fujifilm X-T1 vs Fujifilm X-T10

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