Pentax K-3 vs Canon EOS M50

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Pentax K-3 vs Canon EOS M50

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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 EOS M50 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M50 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M50.
Compare Canon EOS M50 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M50 conclusion.

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon EOS M50

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
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
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 1.6 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 235 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 72 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 36 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon EOS M50 advantages over Pentax K-3

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
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
Thinner
58 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Newer
7 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
484g vs 1240g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
540k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M50 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

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Buy the Canon EOS M50

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 15-45mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 15-45mm Lens (White)
Kit with with 15-45mm and 55-200mm Lenses (Black)
Video Creator Kit (Black)

All EOS M50 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

Comfortable ergonomics and solid build; Versatile EVF and tilt-swivel, touch-screen LCD; Good image quality; Great performance for its class; New C-RAW format saves on raw file size; 4K video is an M-series first.
Somewhat limited dynamic range; JPEGs a little soft at base ISO, and more so at higher ISOs; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Poor battery life; Raw buffer is still shallow (but C-RAW helps).
Read our Canon EOS M50 Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Canon EOS M50

Nikon D7100

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$810
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 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 EOS M50

Nikon D5300

$579
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Nikon D5300

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 EOS M50

Nikon D7200

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1016
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Pentax K-3

Canon EOS M5

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$787
APS-C

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon EOS M5

Canon EOS M50

Canon EOS M5

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$787
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Canon EOS M5

Compared to Sony A6100

Pentax K-3

Sony A6100

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$648
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6100

Canon EOS M50

Sony A6100

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher-res screen

$648
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M50 vs Sony A6100

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