Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 III

Cameras
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Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 III

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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 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 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II
Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Pentax K-3 III

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Differences

Canon 6D advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Less expensive
$1999 vs $2344
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 3.76 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 800 shots
Capture more photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 III 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
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 Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
4 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
540k vs 348k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.71x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
25.7 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
101 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
12.0 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
1600000 vs 102400 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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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
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 6D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 6D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens

All 6D Deals

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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

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

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 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 III

Canon 5D Mark III

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III 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 III

Nikon D610

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1198
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-3 III 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 III

Canon 7D Mark II

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1597
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax K-3 III 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 III

Nikon D600

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D600

Compared to Nikon D750

Canon 6D

Nikon D750

$1699
35mm

Built-in GPS
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1698
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D750

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D750

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1698
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D750

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