• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Pentax K-5 II advantages over Canon EOS M3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More dynamic range
    14.1 vs 11.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 88 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.7 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    22 vs 4 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Pentax K-5 II

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5 II

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M3

Review Excerpt

  • Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Sharp, detailed images with very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.

  • DSLR image quality & resolution in a mirrorless body; Higher-res 24MP APS-C sensor; Much improved AF performance; Better ergonomics with full PASM dial; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC; Tilting LCD.

  • No built-in EVF; Limited native lens selection; Slow burst mode; Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; No 60p video frame rate or 4K video option.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5 II
Nikon D7000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon EOS M3
Nikon D7000
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Canon EOS M3
Pentax K-30
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-5 II
Canon T4i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon EOS M3
Canon T4i
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Pentax K-5 II
Samsung NX3000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon EOS M3
Samsung NX3000
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Pentax K-5 II
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon EOS M3
Fujifilm X-E3
  • $1049
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • NFC
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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