Pentax K-3 vs Canon 77D

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-3 vs Canon 77D

Leave Feedback

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.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 77D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 77D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 77D.
Compare Canon 77D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 77D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon 77D

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon 77D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-3 test data on DxO Mark 77D test data on DxO Mark

1,216 vs 971 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.51x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
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
7.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon 77D advantages over Pentax K-3

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
~0.40 vs 0.9 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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More cross-type AF points
45 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
8 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More AF points
45 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus
Bigger JPEG buffer
167 vs 75 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 77D User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 77D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm lens
Kit with 18-55mm lens

All 77D Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Very good image quality; Improved dynamic range at low ISOs; Very fast autofocus; Dual Pixel CMOS AF in Live View; Much improved RAW buffer depth; 1080/60p video; Quick Control Dial & top-panel LCD screen.
Default JPEGs slightly soft straight out of camera; Dynamic range & high ISOs lag behind competing cameras; No 4K video resolution.
Read our Canon 77D Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$745
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Canon 77D

Nikon D7100

$550
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$745
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon 77D vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Canon 77D

Nikon D5300

$550
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 77D vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Canon T6s

Pentax K-3

Canon T6s

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon T6s

Canon 77D

Canon T6s

$550
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Bluetooth

$619
APS-C

Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Canon 77D vs Canon T6s

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Canon 77D

Nikon D7200

$550
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 77D vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Pentax K-70

Pentax K-3

Pentax K-70

$699
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-70

Canon 77D

Pentax K-70

$550
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 77D vs Pentax K-70

Compare Other Cameras?