Canon 1D Mark III vs Pentax K-70

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Canon 1D Mark III vs Pentax K-70

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APS-H 525.5mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Canon 1D Mark III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 1D Mark III.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-70 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-70 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-70.
Compare Pentax K-70 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-70 conclusion.

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Differences

Canon 1D Mark III advantages over Pentax K-70

Larger sensor
APS-H vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 7.23 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.10 vs 1.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

2200 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
19 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher max flash sync
1/300 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
19 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-70 advantages over Canon 1D Mark III

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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 Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Newer
8 years vs 18 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
922k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.58x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bigger JPEG buffer
47 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-70 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-70

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Silver)

All K-70 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Canon 1D Mark III.
Read our Canon 1D Mark III Initial Test

Huge bang for the buck; Great image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast autofocus; Good burst frame rate with deep buffer; Pentaprism viewfinder; Twin control dials; Articulated LCD; Comprehensive weather-sealing and freeze-proofing; Unbelievable wealth of rare to unique (yet very useful) features
Wi-Fi wireless communication is slow, clumsy and unintuitive; Video autofocus is prone to hunting or racking focus; Slow buffer clearing; Rather heavy for an entry-level DSLR; Autofocus and metering systems are a bit dated; Below average battery life
Read our Pentax K-70 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5300

Canon 1D Mark III

Nikon D5300

$4500
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Nikon D5300

Pentax K-70

Nikon D5300

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Canon T6s

Canon 1D Mark III

Canon T6s

$4500
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$619
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon T6s

Pentax K-70

Canon T6s

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon T6s

Compared to Canon 80D

Canon 1D Mark III

Canon 80D

$4500
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon 80D

Pentax K-70

Canon 80D

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$935
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon 80D

Compared to Canon 77D

Canon 1D Mark III

Canon 77D

$4500
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$550
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Canon 77D

Pentax K-70

Canon 77D

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$550
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon 77D

Compared to Nikon D7500

Canon 1D Mark III

Nikon D7500

$4500
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$864
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 1D Mark III vs Nikon D7500

Pentax K-70

Nikon D7500

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$864
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D7500

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