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What is the pixel pitch of the Pentax K-3?

The Pentax K-3 provides 24.1 megapixels from an APS-C sensor. This pixel density gives rise to a size of the individual pixel of 3.90µm.

The pixel size or pixel pitch can be calculated by dividing the sensor area by the pixel count and then taking the square root. In particular, the sensor in the Pentax K-3 measures 23.5mm in width and 15.6mm in height, so that the total imaging area of the sensor amounts to 367 mm2. Moreover, the K-3 has 6 016 horizontal pixels and 4 000 vertical pixels, for a total of 24.1 megapixels. Then, the size (height or width) of each individual pixel can be calculated as the square root of the ratio of the sensor area (367 mm2) to the MP count (24 064 000).

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Larger pixels provide advantages with respect to gathering light, particularly in low-light situations. Large pixels notably have a better signal to noise ratio, meaning that they can better differentiate between incoming photons and the noisy signals that the internal processes of the camera create. As a result, big pixels are particularly helpful to the photographer when shooting with high ISO settings.

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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.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   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 40001080/60i23.713.4121680
2.
 
Nikon D7100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.213.7125683
3.
 
Pentax KP APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.913.2169981
4.
 
Pentax K-70 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i23.813.1163980
5.
 
Pentax K-S2 APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.612.9151479
6.
 
Pentax K-3 II APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.613.6110680
7.
 
Pentax K-S1 APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.513.0106178
8.
 
Pentax K-50 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.713.0112079
9.
 
Pentax K-5 II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.814.1123582
10.
 
Pentax K-5 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.714.1116282
11.
 
Sony A77 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.280178
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Further information on the sensor in the Pentax K-3 and the camera's operation can be found in the camera manual.

In the United States, the K-3 was initially launched in October 2013 at a price of $1,299.

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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.

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    Specifications Summary
    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 AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 8.3 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-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 SealingWeathersealed 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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