Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3

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Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3

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35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Compare CANON 6D MARK II vs PENTAX K-3 II

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Differences

Canon 6D advantages over Pentax K-3

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
6D test data on DxO Mark K-3 test data on DxO Mark

2,340 vs 1,216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

1090 vs 560 shots
Capture more photos
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 75 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon 6D

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
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-3 test data on DxO Mark 6D test data on DxO Mark

13.4 vs 12.1 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 105 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
27 vs 11
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 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
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
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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 Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 6D

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Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens

All 6D Deals

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

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
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2079
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Pentax K-3

Canon 5D Mark III

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1198
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Pentax K-3

Nikon D610

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Pentax K-3

Canon 7D Mark II

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1597
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 6D

Nikon D600

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D600

Pentax K-3

Nikon D600

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D600

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 6D

Nikon D7100

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

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