Samsung NX1 vs Pentax K-3 II

Cameras
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Samsung NX1 vs Pentax K-3 II

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APS-C 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX1 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX1.
Compare Samsung NX1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX1 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 II.
Compare Pentax K-3 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 II conclusion.

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Differences

Samsung NX1 advantages over Pentax K-3 II

Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) 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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX1 test data on DxO Mark K-3 II test data on DxO Mark

1,363 vs 1,106 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More viewfinder magnification
0.69x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
28.2 vs 24.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
15.2 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
15.1 fps vs 8.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Samsung NX1

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$850 vs $2800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

720 vs 500 shots
Capture more photos
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm f/2-2.8 S Lens
Kit with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 II

Body Only (Black)

Review Excerpt

Very good, high-resolution image quality; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Blazing fast 15fps full-res burst mode; Deep buffer; Great build quality & comfortable ergonomics; Lots of physical controls; Great battery life; Fast single-shot AF.
Continuous AF performance still not as robust as competing DSLRs; Aggressive JPEG noise reduction at high ISOs; JPEG colors and saturation less pleasing at higher ISOs; H.265 video codec can be difficult to work with.
Read our Samsung NX1 Review

Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots
No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors
Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T1

$1797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Pentax K-3 II

Fujifilm X-T1

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Fujifilm X-T1

Compared to Canon T6i

Samsung NX1

Canon T6i

$1797
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$599
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$599
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T2

$1797
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Thinner

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Pentax K-3 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Pentax KP

Samsung NX1

Pentax KP

$1797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

$830
APS-C

Built-in GPS
Longer stills battery life

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Compared to Fujifilm X-T3

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T3

$1797
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Newer

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T3

Pentax K-3 II

Fujifilm X-T3

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1299
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Fujifilm X-T3

Compare Other Cameras?