Canon SL3 vs Pentax K-3 III

Cameras
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Canon SL3 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 SL3 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL3.

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.

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Differences

Canon SL3 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Less expensive
$699 vs $2344
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

1070 vs 800 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Canon SL3

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
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
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 6 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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Buy the Canon SL3

Body Only (Black)

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

All SL3 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

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SL3, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon SL3 Shooter's Report

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 Pentax KP

Canon SL3

Pentax KP

$624
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL3 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 Canon SL2

Canon SL3

Canon SL2

$624
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Canon SL3 vs Canon SL2

Pentax K-3 III

Canon SL2

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon SL2

Compared to Canon T7

Canon SL3

Canon T7

$624
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$469
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Canon SL3 vs Canon T7

Pentax K-3 III

Canon T7

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$469
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon T7

Compared to Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

$624
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL3 vs Nikon D3500

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D3500

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D3500

Compared to Canon 90D

Canon SL3

Canon 90D

$624
APS-C

Less expensive
Lighter weight

$1099
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SL3 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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