Pentax K-3 vs Canon EOS R

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Pentax K-3 vs Canon EOS R

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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.

35mm 864.0mm²
30.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 40,000

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

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

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon EOS R

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 2.1 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
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 105 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Canon EOS R advantages over Pentax K-3

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 5.36 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
EOS R test data on DxO Mark K-3 test data on DxO Mark

2,742 vs 1,216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Newer
6 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
30.3 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
8.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
126 vs 75 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 24 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
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
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS R User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

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Buy the Canon EOS R

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm lens

All EOS R 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 overall image quality; Good dynamic range & very good high ISO performance; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF performance; Sharp native lenses; Great performance with adapted optics; Compact design; Fully articulating LCD.
Sensor performance lags behind competition; No In-Body Image Stabilization; Sluggish burst speed with C-AF; Mediocre battery life; No 4Kp60; 1.7x 4K crop; Ergonomics could be better.
Read our Canon EOS R 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 R

Nikon D7100

$1499
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$810
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Canon 70D

Pentax K-3

Canon 70D

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 70D

Canon EOS R

Canon 70D

$1499
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS R vs Canon 70D

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 R

Nikon D5300

$1499
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon Z7

Pentax K-3

Nikon Z7

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$2147
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon Z7

Canon EOS R

Nikon Z7

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z7

Compared to Nikon Z6

Pentax K-3

Nikon Z6

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$1396
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

$1499
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

$1396
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z6

Compare Other Cameras?