Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax K-3

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Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax K-3

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 392.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX230 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX230 HS.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

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

Succeeded by the Canon SX260 HS
Compare SX230 HS vs SX260 HS

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Compare CANON SX260 HS vs PENTAX K-3 II

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Differences

Canon SX230 HS advantages over Pentax K-3

Less expensive
$350 vs $1150 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
33 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon SX230 HS

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
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
Bigger pixels
~ 3.91 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

560 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More dots on screen
1037k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.40 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 3.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/3200 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

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Read K-3 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon SX230 HS

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

Review Excerpt

Great zoom range from 28mm to 392mm equivalent; Full HD and slow-motion video; excellent print quality.
Low battery life; some chromatic aberration; flash pops up when powered on every time.
Read our Canon SX230 HS Express Review

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung HZ35W

Canon SX230 HS

Samsung HZ35W

$269
1/2.3 inch

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

$350
1/2.3 inch

More dots on screen
Shoots 60p video

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Samsung HZ35W

Pentax K-3

Samsung HZ35W

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$350
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Samsung HZ35W

Compared to Canon SX210 IS

Canon SX230 HS

Canon SX210 IS

$269
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Shoots 24p video

$262
1/2.3 inch

Longer stills battery life
More pixels

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Canon SX210 IS

Pentax K-3

Canon SX210 IS

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$262
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon SX210 IS

Compared to Olympus SZ-10

Canon SX230 HS

Olympus SZ-10

$269
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

$224
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Olympus SZ-10

Pentax K-3

Olympus SZ-10

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$224
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Olympus SZ-10

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon SX230 HS

Nikon D7100

$269
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

$810
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$810
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon SX230 HS

Nikon D7200

$269
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

$1097
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX230 HS vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1097
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

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