Pentax K-3 vs Canon G5X

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Pentax K-3 vs Canon G5X

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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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G5X Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G5X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G5X.
Compare Canon G5X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G5X conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Succeeded by the Canon G5X Mark II
Compare G5X vs G5X Mark II

Compare PENTAX K-3 II vs CANON G5X MARK II

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon G5X

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.91 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 2.0 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 215 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 0.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G5X 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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
44 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 24 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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 Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G5X User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

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Canon G5X

All G5X 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

Photographer-friendly controls; Good OLED viewfinder; Good image quality with sharp detail especially with RAW; Vari-angle touchscreen display.
Only 31 autofocus points; Subpar continuous shooting performance; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; No 4K video; Poor battery life.
Read our Canon G5X 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 G5X

Nikon D7100

$700
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$690
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X 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 G5X

Nikon D5300

$700
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X 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 G5X

Nikon D7200

$700
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Canon G7X Mark II

Pentax K-3

Canon G7X Mark II

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon G7X Mark II

Canon G5X

Canon G7X Mark II

$700
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
1 inch

Longer stills battery life
Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G7X Mark II

Compared to Canon G5X Mark II

Pentax K-3

Canon G5X Mark II

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon G5X Mark II

Canon G5X

Canon G5X Mark II

$700
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G5X Mark II

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