• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Fujifilm X-E3

  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.93 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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

Fujifilm X-E3 advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
    42 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    48 vs 31 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.0 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-E3

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent high ISO performance, one of the best APS-C sensors yet; 6.5 fps burst mode has very good buffer depths; Weather, dust, and cold resistant; In-body Shake Reduction corrects not only horizontal / vertical, but also rotational motion.

  • Default saturation and contrast a bit high; Auto white balance too warm in tungsten light; Fewer AF points than main competitors; Only a single card slot, and no UHS-I card support (slow buffer clearing).

  • Stylish, compact body; Great image quality; Very good overall performance; Touchscreen LCD; 4K UHD video recording.

  • Small EVF; Fixed display; Unreliable continuous autofocus.

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5
Canon T3i
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
Fujifilm X-E3
Canon T3i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-5
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Top deck display
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Fujifilm X-E3
Nikon D5100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5
Pentax K-30
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • More telephoto lens reach
Fujifilm X-E3
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Pentax K-5
Canon EOS M3
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Fujifilm X-E3
Canon EOS M3
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC

Compared to Fujifilm X-T30

Pentax K-5
Fujifilm X-T30
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Fujifilm X-E3
Fujifilm X-T30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
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