• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

Buy From

Differences

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Less expensive
    $1049 vs $1997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 85 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    366g vs 1010g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 77 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 88 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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 RAW shooting
    4.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    17 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)
All EOS M3 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-1 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-105mm Lens
All K-1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • DSLR image quality & resolution in a mirrorless body; Higher-res 24MP APS-C sensor; Much improved AF performance; Better ergonomics with full PASM dial; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC; Tilting LCD.

  • No built-in EVF; Limited native lens selection; Slow burst mode; Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; No 60p video frame rate or 4K video option.

  • Read our Canon EOS M3 Review

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A6000

Canon EOS M3
Sony A6000
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony A6000

Pentax K-1 II
Sony A6000
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A6000

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX3000

Pentax K-1 II
Samsung NX3000
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon EOS M3
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Canon EOS M3
Nikon D850
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Pentax K-1 II
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Fujifilm X-E3

Compare Other Cameras?