Pentax K20D vs Canon EOS M3

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Pentax K20D vs Canon EOS M3

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APS-C 368.2mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K20D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K20D.

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

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M3 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M3.
Compare Canon EOS M3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M3 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-7
Compare K20D vs K-7

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M6
Compare EOS M3 vs EOS M6

Compare PENTAX K-7 vs CANON EOS M6

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Differences

Pentax K20D 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
~ 5.05 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

530 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

Canon EOS M3 advantages over Pentax K20D

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
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.
EOS M3 test data on DxO Mark K20D test data on DxO Mark

1,169 vs 639 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
44 mm vs 70 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
9 years vs 17 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
366g vs 802g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
1040k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
24.2 vs 14.6 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
4.2 fps vs 2.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 38 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K20D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS M3 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K20D

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Buy the Canon EOS M3

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm lens (White)

All EOS M3 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K20D Full Review

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.
Read our Canon EOS M3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Pentax K20D

Samsung GX-20

$800
APS-C

Less expensive

$1400
APS-C

Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K20D vs Samsung GX-20

Canon EOS M3

Samsung GX-20

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$1400
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A380

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony DSLR-A380

Canon EOS M3

Sony DSLR-A380

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$849
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K20D

Pentax K-7

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Pentax K-7

Canon EOS M3

Pentax K-7

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Pentax K20D

Samsung NX3000

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K20D vs Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

$850
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Fujifilm X-E3

Pentax K20D

Fujifilm X-E3

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K20D vs Fujifilm X-E3

Canon EOS M3

Fujifilm X-E3

$850
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
NFC

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Fujifilm X-E3

Compare Other Cameras?