Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax K-3

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Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax K-3

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
14.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX30 IS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX30 IS.

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 SX40 HS
Compare SX30 IS vs SX40 HS

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

Compare CANON SX40 HS vs PENTAX K-3 II

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Differences

Canon SX30 IS advantages over Pentax K-3

Less expensive
$430 vs $1150 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon SX30 IS

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.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.91 vs 1.43 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 2.5 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 370 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
77 mm vs 107 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1037k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.58 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 14.1 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 1.3 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 6400 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
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SX30 IS User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon SX30 IS 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 Sony HX100V

Canon SX30 IS

Sony HX100V

$440
1/2.3 inch

Hot shoe
Wider angle lens

$312
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX100V

Pentax K-3

Sony HX100V

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$312
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Canon SX40 HS

Canon SX30 IS

Canon SX40 HS

$440
1/2.3 inch

More pixels
Higher extended ISO

$342
1/2.3 inch

Shoots 24p video
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS

Pentax K-3

Canon SX40 HS

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$342
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon SX40 HS

Compared to Sony HX200V

Canon SX30 IS

Sony HX200V

$440
1/2.3 inch

Hot shoe
Wider angle lens

$349
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX200V

Pentax K-3

Sony HX200V

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$349
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX200V

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon SX30 IS

Nikon D7100

$440
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$750
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$750
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon SX30 IS

Nikon D7200

$440
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$1021
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1021
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

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