Pentax K-3 vs Canon G7X

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Pentax K-3 vs Canon G7X

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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 G7X Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G7X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G7X.
Compare Canon G7X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G7X conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Canon G7X Mark II
Compare G7X vs G7X Mark II

Compare PENTAX K-3 II vs CANON G7X MARK II

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon G7X

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.91 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
K-3 test data on DxO Mark G7X test data on DxO Mark

1,216 vs 556 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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 210 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
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.20 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
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 14 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 1.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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 G7X advantages over Pentax K-3

Less expensive
$700 vs $1150 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
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
40 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Longer exposure
250 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

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
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

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
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 G7X 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 G7X

Canon G7X

All G7X 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 compact body fits in a pants pocket; Zoom lens is both brighter and further-reaching than anything offered by its enthusiast compact rivals; Selfie-friendly tilting LCD monitor; Intuitive touch-screen interface; Very good image quality for its class; Wi-Fi connectivity gets photos on your phone
No electronic viewfinder; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; Weak performance when shooting raw files; Tendency to underexpose in low light; Limited battery life
Read our Canon G7X Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Pentax K-3

Sony RX100 III

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX100 III

Canon G7X

Sony RX100 III

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G7X vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Pentax K-3

Panasonic LX100

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic LX100

Canon G7X

Panasonic LX100

$1239
1 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

$598
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Panasonic LX100

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 G7X

Nikon D7100

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$690
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X 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 G7X

Nikon D5300

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G7X 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 G7X

Nikon D7200

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Nikon D7200

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