Pentax K-3 vs Sigma fp

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Pentax K-3 vs Sigma fp

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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.

35mm 858.0mm²
24.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sigma fp Review.
See real-world photos taken with the fp.

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

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Sigma fp

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Higher max flash sync
1/180 vs 1/30 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
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
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 12 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Sigma fp advantages over Pentax K-3

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.98 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
Thinner
45 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Newer
5 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Faster JPEG shooting
18.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
18.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
102400 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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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 fp 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

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Buy the Sigma fp

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 45mm f/2.8 lens

All fp 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 Sigma fp, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sigma fp Shooter's Report

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

Sigma fp

Nikon D7100

$1699
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp 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

Sigma fp

Nikon D5300

$1699
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sigma fp 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

Sigma fp

Nikon D7200

$1699
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1016
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sigma fp vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Sony A7C

Pentax K-3

Sony A7C

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
More telephoto lens reach

$1598
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7C

Sigma fp

Sony A7C

$1699
35mm

Thinner
More dots on screen

$1598
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp vs Sony A7C

Compared to Sigma fp L

Pentax K-3

Sigma fp L

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$2499
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sigma fp L

Sigma fp

Sigma fp L

$1699
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher max flash sync

$2499
35mm

Newer
More pixels

Compare Sigma fp vs Sigma fp L

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