• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 1 inch 122.9mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 240.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon XC10

  • 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 3.20 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
  • 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
  • Thinner
    77 mm vs 122 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 1/2 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 3.8 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 20000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon XC10 advantages over Pentax K-3

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot 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

User reviews

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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 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 XC10
Nikon D7100
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon XC10 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 XC10
Nikon D5300
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon XC10 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Pentax K-3
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Canon XC10
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon XC10 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

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 XC10
Nikon D7200
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon XC10 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Sony RX10 II

Pentax K-3
Sony RX10 II
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony RX10 II

Canon XC10
Sony RX10 II
  • $2373
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Canon XC10 vs Sony RX10 II

Compare Other Cameras?