Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax K-3 III

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Canon SX230 HS vs Pentax K-3 III

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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 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 SX260 HS
Compare SX230 HS vs SX260 HS
Compare Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax K-3 III

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Differences

Canon SX230 HS advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
33 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
218g vs 820g
Lighter weight
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-3 III 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
~ 3.76 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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 210 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
4 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
1620k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
25.7 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
12.0 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
1600000 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
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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 III User Reviews

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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

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

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 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 III

Samsung HZ35W

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$350
1/2.3 inch

Internal flash
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 III 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 III

Canon SX210 IS

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$262
1/2.3 inch

Internal flash
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 III 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 III

Olympus SZ-10

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$224
1/2.3 inch

Internal flash
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Olympus SZ-10

Compared to Pentax KP

Canon SX230 HS

Pentax KP

$269
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Thinner

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX230 HS 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 90D

Canon SX230 HS

Canon 90D

$269
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1099
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX230 HS 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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