Pentax K-3 vs Samsung NX3000

Cameras
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Pentax K-3 vs Samsung NX3000

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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
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX3000.

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

Succeeded by the Samsung NX3300
Compare NX3000 vs NX3300

Compare PENTAX K-3 II vs SAMSUNG NX3300

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Samsung NX3000

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 2.0 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 370 shots
Capture more photos
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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Higher-res screen
346k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.30 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 20.3 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
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 4 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

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Pentax K-3

Less expensive
$529 vs $1150 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Thinner
39 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
385g vs 1240g
Lighter weight
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX3000 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 NX3000

Kit with 20-50mm Lens

Kit with 20-50mm Lens
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

All NX3000 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

We haven’t finished our review of the Samsung NX3000, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Samsung NX3000 Shooter's Report

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

Samsung NX3000

Nikon D7100

$950
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

$750
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Pentax K-3

Fujifilm X-M1

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$993
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Samsung NX3000

Fujifilm X-M1

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$993
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Fujifilm X-M1

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 NX3000

Nikon D5300

$950
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Pentax K-3

Canon EOS M3

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$850
APS-C

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Canon EOS M3

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

Samsung NX3000

Nikon D7200

$950
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

$1021
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Nikon D7200

Compare Other Cameras?