What is the crop factor of the Pentax K-3?
The Pentax K-3 is equipped with an APS-C sensor, whose diagonal measures 28.2mm. The sensor has a crop factor (or format factor, or focal length multiplier) of 1.5.
The crop factor is defined as the ratio of the 35mm full-frame film diagonal to the diagonal of a digital sensor. This number indicates how a lens behaves in relation to the size of the image sensor.
Sensor size comparison with a film slide
With a crop factor of 1.5, the sensor in the Pentax K-3 is smaller than the receptor area of a 35mm film slide or negative. As a result, a lens that is attached to the Pentax K-3 will offer a narrower angle of view and provide deeper depth of field than a lens of similar focal length and aperture on a film camera. The equivalent focal length is obtained by multiplying the actual focal length of the lens with the crop factor. For example, a 33mm lens on the Pentax K-3 will provide the same angle of view and depth of field as a 50mm normal lens on a film camera (33mm * 1.5 = 50mm).
Sensor specs and performance
The table below compares the sensor specs of the Pentax K-3 to those of several similar cameras. The reported DXO values are indicators of the sensor's imaging quality (higher is better), covering color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape), and high-ISO noise (DXO Sports). Larger sensor cameras tend to outperform cameras of the same generation that are equipped with a smaller imager. On the other hand, larger sensors are more expensive and require bigger and heavier lenses than smaller light receptors.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Pentax K-3 | APS-C | 24.1 | 6016 | 4000 | 1080/60i | 23.7 | 13.4 | 1216 | 80 | |
2. | Nikon D7100 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.2 | 13.7 | 1256 | 83 | |
3. | Pentax K-3 II | APS-C | 24.1 | 6016 | 4000 | 1080/60i | 23.6 | 13.6 | 1106 | 80 | |
4. | Pentax K-5 | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/25p | 23.7 | 14.1 | 1162 | 82 | |
5. | Pentax K-5 II | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/25p | 23.8 | 14.1 | 1235 | 82 | |
6. | Pentax K-50 | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.7 | 13.0 | 1120 | 79 | |
7. | Pentax K-70 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60i | 23.8 | 13.1 | 1639 | 80 | |
8. | Pentax KP | APS-C | 24.1 | 6016 | 4000 | 1080/60i | 23.9 | 13.2 | 1699 | 81 | |
9. | Pentax K-S1 | APS-C | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/30p | 23.5 | 13.0 | 1061 | 78 | |
10. | Pentax K-S2 | APS-C | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/30p | 23.6 | 12.9 | 1514 | 79 | |
11. | Sony A77 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.0 | 13.2 | 801 | 78 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
In the United States, the K-3 was initially launched in October 2013 at a price of $1,299.
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
- Canon 1D X Mark III vs Pentax K-3
- Canon G16 vs Pentax K-3
- Canon T3i vs Pentax K-3
- Fujifilm X100 vs Nikon Z6
- Nikon D2Xs vs Nikon Z6
- Nikon D300 vs Nikon Z6
- Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-3
- Nikon Z6 vs Olympus E-420
- Nikon Z6 vs Olympus E-M10 IV
- Nikon Z6 vs Sony a7R V
- Pentax K-3 vs Ricoh WG-60
- Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX10 III
Camera Model | Pentax K-3 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | |
Camera Lens | Pentax K mount lenses | |
Launch Date | October 2013 | |
Launch Price | USD 1 299 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 23.5 x 15.6 mm | |
Sensor Area | 367 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 28.2 mm | |
Crop Factor | 1.5x | |
Sensor Resolution | 24.1 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 6 016 x 4 000 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 3.90 μm | |
Pixel Density | 6.56 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | no AA filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/60i Video | |
ISO Setting | 100 - 51 200 ISO | |
Image Processor | PRIME III | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 80 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 23.7 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 13.4 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 1216 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.63x | |
Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.2 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 1037k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 8.3 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 200 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | |
UHS card support | UHS-I | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | |
USB Connector | USB 3.0 | |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
Headphone Socket | Headphone port | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | |
Battery Type | Pentax D-LI90 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 560 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
131 x 100 x 77 mm (5.2 x 3.9 x 3.0 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 800 g (28.2 oz) |
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