• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 361.2mm2
  • 25.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1,600,000

Buy From

Differences

Canon 80D advantages over Pentax K-3 III

  • Less expensive
    $935 vs $2344
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 960 vs 800 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More cross-type AF points
    45 vs 25
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    53 vs 30 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Canon 80D

  • 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
  • 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
  • Newer
    4 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 347k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.05x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    101 vs 45
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 6.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    1600000 vs 25600 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 80D
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All 80D Deals

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

  • Very good image quality; Better RAW high ISO performance than predecessor; Improved buffer depth; Very fast AF; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is excellent; f/8 AF support; 1080/60p video; Headphone jack; Very good battery life.

  • New kit lens isn't very sharp; No 4K video; No clean HDMI out; 29:59 minute video recording limit; Phase detect AF not as sensitive in low-light as expected (Dual Pixel AF is better in low-light).

  • Read our Canon 80D Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 80D
Sony A77 II
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 80D vs Sony A77 II

Pentax K-3 III
Sony A77 II
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon 80D
Nikon D7200
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3 III
Nikon D7200
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Pentax KP

Canon 80D
Pentax KP
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 80D 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 Nikon D7500

Canon 80D
Nikon D7500
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • NFC
  • $864
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7500

Pentax K-3 III
Nikon D7500
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $864
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D7500

Compared to Canon 90D

Canon 80D
Canon 90D
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon 80D 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

Compare Other Cameras?