Pentax K-50 vs Canon R3

Cameras
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Pentax K-50 vs Canon R3

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-50 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-50.

35mm 864.0mm²
24.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Canon R3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the R3.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-70
Compare K-50 vs K-70
Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon R3

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Differences

Pentax K-50 advantages over Canon R3

Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Canon R3 advantages over Pentax K-50

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 4.81 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
No vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

760 vs 480 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
Newer
3 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
4150k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.1 vs 16.3 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
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
150 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-50 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read R3 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon R3

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-50, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-50 First Shots

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon R3, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon R3 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3

Pentax K-50

Canon T3

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$199
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Canon T3

Canon R3

Canon T3

$5999
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$199
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Canon R3 vs Canon T3

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-50

Sony A57

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A57

Canon R3

Sony A57

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon R3 vs Sony A57

Compared to Sony A37

Pentax K-50

Sony A37

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$600
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A37

Canon R3

Sony A37

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon R3 vs Sony A37

Compared to Leica SL2-S

Pentax K-50

Leica SL2-S

$149
APS-C

Internal flash
Has anti-aliasing filter

$4895
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Leica SL2-S

Canon R3

Leica SL2-S

$5999
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
On-sensor phase detect

$4895
35mm

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

Compare Canon R3 vs Leica SL2-S

Compared to Canon R5 C

Pentax K-50

Canon R5 C

$149
APS-C

Internal flash
Thinner

$4499
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Canon R5 C

Canon R3

Canon R5 C

$5999
35mm

Bigger pixels
More dots on screen

$4499
35mm

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Canon R3 vs Canon R5 C

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