Pentax K-3 vs Canon EOS M6 Mark II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-3 vs Canon EOS M6 Mark II

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 337.5mm²
32.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M6 Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M6 Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M6 Mark II.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon EOS M6 Mark II

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon EOS M6 Mark II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 3.91 vs 3.23 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 305 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
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
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 48 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon EOS M6 Mark II advantages over Pentax K-3

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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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
49 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Newer
5 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
538g vs 1240g
Lighter weight
More pixels
32.5 vs 24.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
14.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
14.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

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

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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 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 EOS M6 Mark II

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 15-45mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 15-45mm Lens (Silver)
Kit with 18-150mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-150mm Lens (Silver)

All EOS M6 Mark II 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

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon EOS M6 Mark II, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon EOS M6 Mark II Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Canon EOS M6 Mark II

Nikon D7100

$849
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$690
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Canon EOS M6 Mark II 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 M6 Mark II

Nikon D5300

$849
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Canon EOS M6 Mark II 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 M6 Mark II

Nikon D7200

$849
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1016
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Sony A6400

Pentax K-3

Sony A6400

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$798
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony A6400

Canon EOS M6 Mark II

Sony A6400

$849
APS-C

Fast startup
More pixels

$798
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs Sony A6400

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 M6 Mark II

Sony A6100

$849
APS-C

More pixels
Faster JPEG shooting

$648
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Canon EOS M6 Mark II vs Sony A6100

Compare Other Cameras?