Pentax K-500 vs Canon SL3

Cameras
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Pentax K-500 vs Canon SL3

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

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-500 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-500.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon SL3 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL3.

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Canon SL3

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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)
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.61x vs 0.54x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster JPEG shooting
6.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon SL3 advantages over Pentax K-500

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
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

1070 vs 710 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
6 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 pixels
24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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-500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL3 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-500

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-500 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL3

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)

All SL3 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-500, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-500 First Shots

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SL3, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon SL3 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-500

Sony A57

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57

Canon SL3

Sony A57

$624
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL3 vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-500

Pentax K-5 IIs

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon SL3

Pentax K-5 IIs

$624
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-500

Canon T5i

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Canon T5i

Canon SL3

Canon T5i

$624
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SL3 vs Canon T5i

Compared to Canon SL2

Pentax K-500

Canon SL2

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Canon SL2

Canon SL3

Canon SL2

$624
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Canon SL3 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Nikon D3500

Pentax K-500

Nikon D3500

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$623
APS-C

Built-in Bluetooth
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

$624
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL3 vs Nikon D3500

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