Pentax K-30 vs Canon G7X

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Pentax K-30 vs Canon G7X

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-30 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-30.

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-50
Compare K-30 vs K-50

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

Compare PENTAX K-50 vs CANON G7X MARK II

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Differences

Pentax K-30 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
~ 4.81 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.10 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-30 test data on DxO Mark G7X test data on DxO Mark

1,129 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

410 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
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
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
45 vs 14 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G7X advantages over Pentax K-30

Less expensive
$700 vs $1199 (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 71 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
250 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
6.6 fps vs 5.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (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
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.

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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-30 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G7X User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Canon G7X

Canon G7X

All G7X Deals

Review Excerpt

Pentaprism viewfinder is bright and accurate; Weather-sealed body can handle direct rain; Twin control dials make exposure control a snap; Solid build; Great image quality.
Lower resolution than some rivals; Not as small as recent Pentax entry-level and mid-range models; A couple of ergonomic and UI quirks; Shutter isn't the quietest; 18-55 kit lens isn't weather-sealed.
Read our Pentax K-30 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-30

Sony RX100 III

$599
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$748
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-30 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-30

Panasonic LX100

$599
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-30 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 D7000

Pentax K-30

Nikon D7000

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Nikon D7000

Canon G7X

Nikon D7000

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-30

Canon T4i

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Canon T4i

Canon G7X

Canon T4i

$1239
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$579
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon G7X vs Canon T4i

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 II

Canon G7X

Pentax K-5 II

$1239
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G7X vs Pentax K-5 II

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