Canon SL2 vs Pentax K-3 III

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Canon SL2 vs Pentax K-3 III

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APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon SL2 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.
Compare Canon SL2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL2 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 SL3
Compare SL2 vs SL3
Compare Canon SL3 vs Pentax K-3 III

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Differences

Canon SL2 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Less expensive
$549 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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Canon SL2

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
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

800 vs 650 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Newer
4 years vs 7 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
540k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.54x
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 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
12.0 fps vs 5.0 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 51200 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
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Buy the Canon SL2

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (White)

All SL2 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

Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.
Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.
Read our Canon SL2 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 Nikon D3400

Canon SL2

Nikon D3400

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3400

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D3400

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Pentax KP

Canon SL2

Pentax KP

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 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 D3500

Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$709
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3500

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D3500

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D3500

Compared to Canon SL3

Canon SL2

Canon SL3

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$632
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SL3

Pentax K-3 III

Canon SL3

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$632
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon SL3

Compared to Canon 90D

Canon SL2

Canon 90D

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$1099
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 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

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