• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400
  • APS-C 361.2mm2
  • 25.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1,600,000

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Differences

Sony A7S II advantages over Pentax K-3 III

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.40 vs 3.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Lighter weight
    627g vs 820g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    63 vs 30 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Sony A7S II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 800 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    4 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.05x vs 0.78x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    25.7 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    1600000 vs 409600 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Review Excerpt

  • Comfortable and surprisingly compact camera body; Improved low light performance; Built-in image stabilization; Wide range of usable ISOs; More sophisticated autofocus performance; Excellent video capabilities.

  • Relatively low resolution; Mediocre continuous shooting performance; No built-in flash; No losslessly compressed RAW option.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7S

Sony A7S II
Sony A7S
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-3 III
Sony A7S
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax KP

Sony A7S II
Pentax KP
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Pentax K-3 III
Pentax KP
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7S II
Sony A9
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-3 III
Sony A9
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 90D

Sony A7S II
Canon 90D
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Pentax K-3 III
Canon 90D
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A7S III

Sony A7S II
Sony A7S III
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
Pentax K-3 III
Sony A7S III
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
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