When it comes to photography, there are a lot of different factors that you need to take into account in order to get the perfect shot. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is which camera to use. There are a lot of different models on the market, and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. In this article, we will compare the Pentax K-70 and K-3 and help you decide which one is better for your needs.
Pentax K-70 in General
It is the successor to the Pentax K-50, and is positioned as an entry-level DSLR. First announced in June of 2016, it became available for purchase later that summer. As an update to the older K-50 model, the K-70 boasts a number of significant improvements, most notably in the areas of autofocus performance and image quality. [1]
Pentax K-3 in General
It’s the company’s second camera to feature their new PRIME MII image processing engine after the Pentax K-S and it sits at the top of their current APS-C lineup. The K-70 is aimed at enthusiast photographers who are looking for a durable body with excellent image quality and advanced features.
The K-70 inherits a lot from its predecessor, the K-50, but there are also some significant upgrades which we will talk about below. [1]
Comparison Between Pentax K-70 and Pentax K-3
As you can see both cameras are fairly recent additions to the Pentax DSLR camera lineup. There are some differences between the K-70 and K-3 that are worth mentioning. In this section, we will go over some of the key specs and see how they compare for each camera.
Size and weight
When it comes to cameras, weight is an important factor for many photographers. The heavier a camera is, the more difficult it is to carry around and the more likely you are to get tired while using it. For this reason, many people prefer lighter cameras.
Keep in mind that these numbers are for the body only and do not include any lenses or other accessories.
Size is another important factor to consider when choosing a camera. If you are planning on traveling a lot or carrying your camera with you everywhere you go, you will want to choose a smaller camera. The K-70 has dimensions of 1126 x 93 x 74 mm, making it slightly smaller than the K-3, which has dimensions of 131 x 100 x 77 mm. [1]
ISO sensitivity
ISO sensitivity is one of the key factors that determines how well a camera performs in low light. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive the sensor is to light, and the better the performance in low light. However, there is a trade-off. Higher ISOs produce more noise, which can degrade image quality.
The K-70 has a maximum ISO of 102.400, while the K-3 has a maximum ISO of 51.200. This means that the K-70 is more sensitive to light, and will perform better in low light than the K-3. [1]
Shutter speed
One of the most important factors you should consider when buying a camera is shutter speed. A faster shutter speed will allow you to take sharper photos, especially if your subject is moving. It can also help reduce blurriness caused by camera shake. On the other hand, a slower shutter speed can be used to create deliberate blurring effects, such as when photographing waterfalls or other moving objects.
Pentax K-70 has a maximum shutter speed of 1/6000s, while Pentax K-3 can reach up to 1/8000s. This means that if you want to take very long exposures, K-70 is the better choice. However, if you need to freeze fast-moving subjects, K-3 might be a better option.
Screen
Obviously screen size is an important factor when it comes to picking a camera. The K-70 has a 3 inch LCD screen with 921k dots. The K-70’s screen is articulated which means that you can tilt and swivel it to get the perfect angle for shooting from high or low angles. The K-70’s vari-angle screen is one of its best features since it makes the camera much more versatile.
The K-3, on the other hand, has a fixed three-inch LCD screen with a slightly higher resolution of 1,037k dots. However, the K-30’s screen is not articulated which means that you can’t tilt or swivel it. This isn’t a big deal if you don’t plan on using the camera for video or shooting from high or low angles.
Rotating screen allows for the composition of shots from various angles, including difficult ones. This makes the camera much more versatile and suitable for a wider range of photography styles, especially if you’re vlogging.
Pentax K-3 however has a top screen which displays key shooting information.
This is a really useful feature that allows you to quickly see your shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and other settings without having to take your eye away from the viewfinder.
Unfortunately neither camera comes with a touch screen which would have been a nice feature to have. [1]
Weather sealing
Since you will mostly be using your camera outdoors, weather sealing is an important consideration. Good news, both the K-70 and K-35 have excellent weather sealing. In fact, they are some of the best in their class. This means you can feel confident using either camera in all kinds of weather conditions without worry about damaging your investment. [1]
Continuous shooting speed
When it comes to action and sports photography, one of the most important factors to consider is the continuous shooting speed of a camera. The Pentax K-70 has a maximum shooting speed of six frames per second, while the Pentax K-3 can shoot at up to eight frames per second. So, if you’re looking for a camera that can keep up with fast paced action, the K-s is the better choice. However, if you don’t need such a high shooting speed and would prefer a camera with better low light performance, the K-70 might be a better option for you. [1]
Wi-Fi support
Having Wi-Fi support on your camera is important for a number of reasons. First, it allows you to instantly share your photos and videos with your friends and family. Second, it lets you remotely control your camera from your smartphone or tablet. And finally, it enables you to transfer files from your camera to your computer wirelessly.
The Pentax K-70 has Wi-Fi built-in, while the K-3 does not. This means that if you want to transfer files from your K-70 to your computer, you’ll need to use an external Wi-Fi adapter or an USB cable. [1]
RAW support
RAW support is important for anyone who wants to get the most out of their photos. RAW files contain all of the data captured by the camera’s sensor, giving you more flexibility when it comes to editing and adjusting your images.
If you’re a professional photographer or if you’re serious about getting the most out of your photos, then you’ll want to make sure that your camera has RAW support. Both the Pentax K-70 and the K-30 have this feature, so you’ll be able to get the most out of your photos no matter which camera you choose. [1]
Image stabilization
If you’re going to use longer lenses, or shoot in low light conditions, image stabilization is a must. Both K-70 and K-3 models have in-body sensor-shift image stabilization, which is great news. The sensor-shift Image stabilization system is a feature that is common in Pentax cameras. This system allows the camera to shift the image sensor in order to counteract camera shake and produce sharper images. This system is particularly useful for telephoto and macro photography, as well as for shooting video. [1]
Battery life
It is important to factor in battery life when deciding which camera is right for you. Of course, you want a camera that is going to last you a long time without needing a charge. However, battery life also comes into play when you are traveling. If you are going to be gone for a week, you will need a camera with a good battery life so that you do not have to worry about charging it every day. The Pentax K-3 has a battery life of 560 shots while the K-30 has a battery life of 410 shots. [1]
Viewfinder
One of the most important specs for a DSLR camera is the viewfinder. After all, this is how you frame and compose your shots. Both the K-70 and K-3 have an optical viewfinder with 100% frame coverage. This means that what you see in the viewfinder is exactly what will be captured in your photo. However, there is a difference in magnification. The K-70 has a 0.63x magnification while the K-70 has a 0.64x magnification. This means that the objects in the viewfinder will appear slightly larger on the K-70 than on the K-30. [1]
Astrotracer mode
One of the most interesting features that the K-70 has is the Astrotracer mode. This mode uses the sensor shift stabilization in order to cancel out star trails. It can be used with a tripod to take long exposure photos of the stars without star trails. This is a great feature for astrophotography. This is a fantastic feature for anyone who wants to do astro photography and doesn’t want to invest in an expensive tracking mount. [1]
Remote smartphone connection
In recent years, one of the most important selling points for digital cameras has been their ability to connect to smartphones. This allows you to share your photos and videos with your friends and family much more easily. But it also allows you to use your smartphone as a remote control for your camera. This is a great feature if you want to take group photos or self-portraits.
There are a few different ways that you can connect your camera to your smartphone. The most popular method is through Wi-Fi. Most modern cameras have Wi-Fi built-in, which makes it very easy to set up a connection between the two devices.
The other popular method is through Bluetooth. While not as common, some cameras do have Bluetooth built-in. This method is generally not as fast or reliable as Wi-Fi, but it does use less battery power.
Between the two cameras, only K-70 has Wi-Fi while K-70 and K-30 have Bluetooth. If you want to be able to use your smartphone as a remote control for your camera, then you’ll need to get a camera with Wi-Fi. [1]
UHS Card Support
UHS stands for Ultra High Speed, and refers to the bus interface used by some memory cards. This interface allows for much higher data transfer speeds than the older, standard interface. Memory cards with a UHS bus are often referred to as UHS-I or UHS-II cards.
UHS-I and UHS-II are different types of memory cards. They are not compatible with each other. A UHS-I card will work in a UHS-II camera, but it will only record at the UHS-I speed. A UHS-II card will work in a UHS-I camera, but it will only record at the UHS-I speed.
The K-70 supports UHS-I cards while the K-30 does not. This means that if you want to use a faster card with the K-70, you will have to purchase a UHS I compatible card but the payout will be a high data transfer rate. [1]
Headphone and microphone ports
Since you might need a camera for vlogging, we have to talk about the headphone port. The K-70 does not have a headphone port while the K-3 does. However, K-70 and K-3 both come with a mic port.
The microphone port is important for anyone who wants to record high-quality audio with their camera. Both cameras have a microphone port, but the K-70’s port is located on the front of the camera body, while the K-30’s is on the side. This means that both are a great option if you are planning on recording audio with your camera. [1]
Flash
When used properly, flash can make a huge difference in the quality of your photos.
Both the Pentax K-70 and K-3 have built-in flash units. On top of this, they also come with a hot shoe, which allows you to attach an external flash unit. This is a great feature, as it gives you the ability to add more light to your photos if needed.
So, which camera is better when it comes to flash? Well here it comes down to the flash range. The Pentax K-70 has a flash range of 12.00m at ISO 100, while the K-3 has a flash range of 13m at the same ISO. This means that the K-70 can reach a bit further when you need to add light to your photos. [1]
Storage slots
If you’re planning on shooting in RAW or filming high-quality video, you’ll need to invest in a lot of storage space. The Pentax K-70 only has one, while the K-3 has two. This means that if you want to be able to store more than one memory card at a time, the K-30 is the better choice. This might not seem like a big deal, but if you’re constantly running out of space or switching cards frequently, it can be a pain. [1]
AE Bracketing Range
For example, if your camera has a maximum AE bracketing range of +/- three stops, it means that it can take photos at shutter speeds that are three stops faster or three stops slower than the “normal” exposure.
This is important because it allows you to take photos in difficult lighting conditions without having to worry about getting the perfect exposure every time. It also means that you can experiment with different exposures and find the one that looks best to you.
So, which camera has the better AE bracketing range? The Pentax K-70 have a bracketing range of +/- 5 EV while the K-3 has a range of +/- 2 EV. This means that the K-70 can take photos in much more difficult lighting conditions than the K-3. [1]
Astrotracer mode
If you’re interested in astrophotography, you’ll be pleased to know that the K-70 has an Astrotracer Mode. This mode uses the camera’s built-in GPS to correct for the Earth’s rotation, allowing you to capture sharp images of stars and other astronomical objects.
This might not be a deciding factor for you, but it’s a nice feature to have if you’re interested in astrophotography.
FAQ
Is the Pentax K70 a good camera?
The Pentax K70 is a great camera for anyone looking to get into photography. It has a lot of features that are easy to use, and it takes great pictures. The only downside is that it doesn’t have a touch screen, which can be frustrating for some users.
When did the Pentax K-3 come out?
The K-70 was announced in June of 2016, while the K-3 came out a year earlier in April 2014.
Is the Pentax K-3 full-frame?
The K-3 is not a full-frame camera. However, it offers a APS-C sensor with 24 megapixels. The K-3 also has an ISO range of 100-102400, which is great for low light photography.
Useful Video: Pentax K-3 Mark III vs Pentax K-70
Conclusion
Pentax K-70 and K-3 are two amazing Pentax cameras with a lot to offer. They are both great for different reasons, so it really depends on what you are looking for in a camera. Because of its weight, Pentax K-70 would be a great choice for someone who wants to take photos while hiking or backpacking. It is also a great choice for anyone who wants a light camera that they can easily carry around with them. Pentax K-70 is also a great choice for someone who wants to take videos as well as photos because it has built-in stabilization and an articulating screen. On the other hand, Pentax K-30 would be a great choice for someone who wants to do more serious photography, such as wildlife or sports photography. It has a lot of features that are geared towards those types of photographers, such as fast autofocus, better viewfinder magnification and larger flash coverage.
K-70 model has wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi) and is compatible with Bluetooth devices, meaning you can transfer your photos wirelessly to your computer or smartphone. K-30 does not have this feature. If you think you might want to use this, then the K-70 would be a better choice for you.
Pentax K-70 and K-30 are both great cameras that offer a lot of features for different types of photographers. If you need help deciding, feel free to contact our team of experts and we would be happy to help you choose the right camera for your needs. Thanks for reading!
References
- https://cameradecision.com/compare/Pentax-K-70-vs-Pentax-K-3