Pentax K-3 vs Samsung NX1

Cameras
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Pentax K-3 vs Samsung NX1

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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 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX1 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX1.
Compare Samsung NX1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX1 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Samsung NX1

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Samsung NX1

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1150 vs $2800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 77 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Samsung NX1 advantages over Pentax K-3

Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX1 test data on DxO Mark K-3 test data on DxO Mark

1,363 vs 1,216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More viewfinder magnification
0.69x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
28.2 vs 24.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
15.2 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
15.1 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

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
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
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX1 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 Samsung NX1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm f/2-2.8 S Lens
Kit with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ Lens

All NX1 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

Very good, high-resolution image quality; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Blazing fast 15fps full-res burst mode; Deep buffer; Great build quality & comfortable ergonomics; Lots of physical controls; Great battery life; Fast single-shot AF.
Continuous AF performance still not as robust as competing DSLRs; Aggressive JPEG noise reduction at high ISOs; JPEG colors and saturation less pleasing at higher ISOs; H.265 video codec can be difficult to work with.
Read our Samsung NX1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$745
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Samsung NX1

Nikon D7100

$1797
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$745
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Samsung NX1 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

Samsung NX1

Nikon D5300

$1797
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Nikon D5300

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

Samsung NX1

Nikon D7200

$1797
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1016
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Pentax K-3

Fujifilm X-T2

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T2

$1797
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Thinner

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Fujifilm X-T3

Pentax K-3

Fujifilm X-T3

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1299
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm X-T3

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T3

$1797
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Newer

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T3

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