• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon 60D advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1100 vs 560 shots
    Capture more photos

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon 60D

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,216 vs 813 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.4 vs 11.5 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.25 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    27 vs 9
    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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 34 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 15 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 60D

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 18-megapixel sensor with superb detail; Very good high ISO performance, especially for 18-megapixel subframe sensor; 3.0-inch, 1,040K-dot Vari-angle LCD is very useful for video and Live View; Sharp 18-135 kit lens with above average zoom range and I.S.; Full HD (1920x1080) movies at 30/25/24p, 60/50p at 1280x720.

  • Body not as rugged as mag-alloy 50D; AF assist only works when flash is up, though flash can be forced off; Auto-exposure not reliable in very low light; No continuous autofocus in Movie mode.

  • Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control

  • AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Canon 60D
Canon 7D
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
Pentax K-3
Canon 7D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon 60D
Nikon D7000
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Pentax K-3
Nikon D7000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon T3i

Canon 60D
Canon T3i
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $549
  • APS-C
Pentax K-3
Canon T3i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 60D
Nikon D7100
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D5300

Canon 60D
Nikon D5300
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Top deck display
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Pentax K-3
Nikon D5300
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
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