• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon Z fc

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 75 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 20.9 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
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z fc advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    3 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (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
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
All K-3 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z fc
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28mm f/2.8 (SE) Lens
  • Kit with DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Lens
All Z fc 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

The Competition

Compared to 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

Nikon Z fc
Nikon D7100
  • $890
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z fc 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

Nikon Z fc
Nikon D5300
  • $890
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z fc vs Nikon D5300

Compared to 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

Nikon Z fc
Nikon D7200
  • $890
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1021
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z fc vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Fujifilm X-T200

Pentax K-3
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm X-T200

Nikon Z fc
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $890
  • APS-C
  • Newer
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z fc vs Fujifilm X-T200

Compared to Nikon Z 30

Pentax K-3
Nikon Z 30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon Z 30

Nikon Z fc
Nikon Z 30
  • $890
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Thinner
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z fc vs Nikon Z 30

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