Pentax K-3 vs Canon EOS RP

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Pentax K-3 vs Canon EOS RP

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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 861.6mm²
26.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 40,000

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

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

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon EOS RP

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
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 250 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
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
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
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon EOS RP 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
~ 5.75 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
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 viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 75 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 24 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS RP 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 RP

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with RF 24-105mm lens

All EOS RP 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; Good high ISO performance; Fast Dual Pixel CMOS AF autofocus system; Eye AF with tracking & video support; 4K video; Good build quality; Excellent value.
No IBIS; Sub-par dynamic range; Burst shooting tops out at 5fps; Poor battery life; Limited video features.
Read our Canon EOS RP Review

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 RP

Nikon D7100

$949
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS RP 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 RP

Nikon D5300

$949
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS RP 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 RP

Nikon D7200

$949
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$1016
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS RP vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Nikon Z5

Pentax K-3

Nikon Z5

$699
APS-C

Internal flash
Top deck display

$1097
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon Z5

Canon EOS RP

Nikon Z5

$949
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Lighter weight

$1097
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS RP vs Nikon Z5

Compared to Sony A7C

Pentax K-3

Sony A7C

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
More telephoto lens reach

$1631
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony A7C

Canon EOS RP

Sony A7C

$949
35mm

More telephoto lens reach
Wider angle kit lens

$1631
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS RP vs Sony A7C

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