Pentax KF vs Pentax KP — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 24 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax KF
66
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 24 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax KP
81
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax KF and the Pentax KP are weather-sealed APS-C DSLRs sharing the Pentax KAF2 mount, so any K-mount lens you already own fits either body. The KF arrived in 2022, five years after the KP in 2017. The KF is also the more compact camera, measuring 126 x 93 x 74 mm and weighing 688 g, against 132 x 101 x 76 mm and 703 g for the KP. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2022 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 9, 2022 | January 25, 2017 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 126 x 93 x 74 mm | 132 x 101 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 688 g | 703 g |
| Optics | 74/100 | 79/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor photographing moving subjects, the KP has the advantage. Its 27 autofocus points outnumber the KF's 11, giving you more placement options for focus when tracking a running child or a pet. Its 7 fps burst also outpaces the KF's 6 fps, collecting an extra frame each second of action. Resolution is shared, at 24 megapixels on an APS-C CMOS sensor, so neither body gives extra room to crop a distant bird. The KP's ISO settings climb to 819200, far beyond the KF's 102400, extending the range available in extreme low light. In-body stabilisation, the 1/6000 second maximum shutter speed and the optical pentaprism viewfinder are common to both. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 24 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6016 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
23.5 x 15.6 | 23.5 x 15.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime MII | Prime IV |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
1024003003280000 | 8192003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
1024003003280000 | 8192003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
600080032000 | 600080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 270300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 70/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor slowing fast motion in an edit, the KF is the stronger choice. It records Full HD at up to 60 fps, double the KP's 30 fps maximum, so its footage can be slowed to half speed while staying smooth. Both cameras capture Full HD clips in MPEG-4 or MOV. The KP offers a built-in interval timer for timelapse, letting you shoot a sunset sequence without an external remote. The KF has no built-in timelapse mode. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 57/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFor wireless workflows, the KP is the clear choice. It has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so you can transfer photos to a phone or fire the shutter remotely from an app. The KF has neither form of wireless connectivity. The KF's rear screen is sharper for reviewing focus, with 1,037,000 dots against the KP's 921,000. Both otherwise offer a 3-inch flip-out screen with live view, GPS for geotagging landscape work, and a non-touch interface. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10370001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor long days away from a mains charger, the KF rates 410 shots per charge against 390 for the KP, using the same D-LI109 battery. It also supports USB charging, so a power bank can top it up in the field. The KP cannot charge over USB. Storage is shared: each camera uses a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card at UHS-I speed, and neither offers a second slot. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI109 | D-LI109 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 390 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For hiking and travel, the KF is the better pick. It charges over USB from a power bank, and its 60 fps Full HD video gives smoother slow motion. Its sharper rear screen helps confirm critical focus right after a shot.
Choose the KP when action stills and connectivity lead your shooting. Its 27-point autofocus, 7 fps burst and wider ISO range suit wildlife and sport, while Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the built-in interval timer support remote shooting and timelapse sequences. Both share the KAF2 mount, so your lenses move with whichever body you choose.