Canon 1DX vs Pentax K-3 III

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Canon 1DX vs Pentax K-3 III

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35mm 864.0mm²
18.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

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

APS-C 361.2mm²
25.7 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1,600,000

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 III.

Succeeded by the Canon 1DX Mark II
Compare 1DX vs 1DX Mark II
Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Pentax K-3 III

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Differences

Canon 1DX advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.94 vs 3.76 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

1120 vs 800 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
41 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Bigger JPEG buffer
56 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Canon 1DX

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Newer
4 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
820g vs 1551g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
1620k vs 1040k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.76x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
25.7 vs 18.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
101 vs 61
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
1600000 vs 204800 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
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
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 1DX User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 1DX

Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 20-40mm F2.8-4 Lens
Kit with 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens

All K-3 III Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Canon 1DX.
Read our Canon 1DX Initial Test

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-3 III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-3 III First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D4

Canon 1DX

Nikon D4

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

$4500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 1DX vs Nikon D4

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D4

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$4500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Canon 1DX

Canon EOS-1D C

$5299
35mm

Less expensive

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Headphone jack

Compare Canon 1DX vs Canon EOS-1D C

Pentax K-3 III

Canon EOS-1D C

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6989
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 1DX vs Nikon D4S

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D4S

$1847
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5399
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Pentax KP

Canon 1DX

Pentax KP

$5299
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 1DX vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 III

Pentax KP

$1847
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon 90D

Canon 1DX

Canon 90D

$5299
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon 1DX vs Canon 90D

Pentax K-3 III

Canon 90D

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1099
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon 90D

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