• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Canon 80D

  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 6.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.2 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 80D advantages over Pentax K-3 II

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 960 vs 720 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More cross-type AF points
    45 vs 25
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More AF points
    45 vs 27
    More AF points improve autofocus

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots

  • No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors

  • Very good image quality; Better RAW high ISO performance than predecessor; Improved buffer depth; Very fast AF; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is excellent; f/8 AF support; 1080/60p video; Headphone jack; Very good battery life.

  • New kit lens isn't very sharp; No 4K video; No clean HDMI out; 29:59 minute video recording limit; Phase detect AF not as sensitive in low-light as expected (Dual Pixel AF is better in low-light).

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T6i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Canon 80D
Canon T6i
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3 II
Nikon D7200
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon 80D
Nikon D7200
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II
Pentax KP
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon 80D
Pentax KP
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T7i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 80D
Canon T7i
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Nikon D7500

Pentax K-3 II
Nikon D7500
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $897
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Canon 80D
Nikon D7500
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • NFC
  • $897
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
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