• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax K-x
  • Leica S3
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Pentax K2000
K2000 vs K-x
Leica S2
S2 vs S3
Successor: Pentax K-r
K-x vs K-r
 
General
Model Number: K-x S3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $649.95 $19.00
Street Price: $701.76  
Date Available: 2009-10-15 2020-03-06
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 27.9 oz (791 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
44.4 oz (1,260 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in.
(122 x 92 x 69 mm)
6.3 x 4.7 x 3.1 in.
(160 x 120 x 80 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 12.4 64.0
Sensor Format: APS-C Medium format
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 1350mm2 (45.00mm x 30.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.53 microns 4.59 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 0.8x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 72  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.5  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 811  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2)
9800 x 6530 (64.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), 12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG) JPEG, RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.3 3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x416 (24)
4096x2160 (24p)
1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3) Leica S bayonet
Lens: smc Pentax DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 84mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: SAFOX VIII TTL phase-detect 11 point (9 cross) AF: 11 pt auto, 5 pt auto, AF pt select, center/spot Phase-detect TTL with central cross-hair sensor: Choice of AFs (single) = Sharpness priority, AFc (continuous) = Shutter release priority, MF (manual), Manual override of automatic setting possible at any time; Contrast detect AF during live view at any point in image
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 96% coverage, 0.85x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter High eyepoint pentaprism viewfinder, 98% coverage, 0.87x magnification, -3 to +1 diopter correction, interchangeable focusing screen, ground glass screen with microprism ring and split image (standard)
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.57x 1.09x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.85x 0.87x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x  
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 50000
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto (200-6400), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400; expandable to 12800 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12500, 25000, 50000
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Flash, Custom Automatic, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, HMI, Fluorescent, Halogen warm, Halogen cool, Flash, Tungsten, Grey card (determined from image), Grey card Live View, Color temperature (Kelvin)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/6000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 125 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.5EV steps
Metering Modes: 16-segment Multi, Center-weighted, Spot Multi-segment (5 fields), Center-weighted, Spot (3.5% of image frame)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Auto Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Stage Lighting [JPG], Night Snap [JPG]), Sensitivity Priority  
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2, 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: On, off, redeye, slow sync, slow sync w redeye, slow sync w trailing curtain, wireless TTL pre-flash metering, with automatic transmission and consideration of sensitivity and set/controlled lens aperture, all exposure modes available, automatic adaptation of flash light component to available light; First or second curtain sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 11.3 m / 37.1 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/125 or 1/1000 depending on lens (shutter type)
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory:   Dual SD + CF (UDMA7)
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG) RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic
Movie File Format:   MOV (motion JPEG)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional IR Cabled or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): AC adapter available Mini HDMI Type C, X-sync, 7-pin LEMO socket for remote accessories, contact strip for multi-function hand grip, audio in (3.5 mm jack) and audio out (3.5 mm jack) with audio adapter S (supplied with the camera)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.39  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.43  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 10  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.3 3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 25 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   3.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.10 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.082 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.23 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Phase-detect Full AF: 0.448s Contrast-detect Full AF: 2.567s Prefocused: 0.427s  
Startup Time: 0.6 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 420 shots (NiMH AA)  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 4 x AA Proprietary 7.4V, 2850mAh
Usable Battery Types: Lithium, Alkaline disposables; NiMH rechargeables Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Alkaline disposables 1 x 7.4V, 2850mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: CD-ROM  
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7, MacOS-X 10.3+  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Sensor-shift shake reduction, 720p HD video capture, Live View with face detection. Available in black or white. Limited edition colors of red and navy will become available at select locations to be announced.