• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 224.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon N2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 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 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 560 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon N2 advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Less expensive
    $300 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
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

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 N2
Canon N2 (Black)
  • Canon N2 (Black)
  • Canon N2 (White)
All N2 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

The Competition

Compared to Canon N

Pentax K-3
Canon N
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon N

Canon N2
Canon N
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon N2 vs Canon N

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 N2
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon N2 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 N2
Nikon D5300
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon N2 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon S6900

Pentax K-3
Nikon S6900
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon S6900

Canon N2
Nikon S6900
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer exposure
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon N2 vs Nikon S6900

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7200
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Canon N2
Nikon D7200
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon N2 vs Nikon D7200

Compare Other Cameras?