Canon EOS R vs Pentax K-3 III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon EOS R vs Pentax K-3 III

35mm 864.0mm²
30.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 40,000

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

APS-C 361.2mm²
25.7 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1,600,000

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 III.

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Differences

Canon EOS R advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 5.36 vs 3.76 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More pixels
30.3 vs 25.7 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
126 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Canon EOS R

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
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

800 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
3 years vs 6 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.76x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 8.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1600000 vs 102400 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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS R User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm lens

All EOS R Deals

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Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 20-40mm F2.8-4 Lens
Kit with 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens

All K-3 III Deals

Review Excerpt

Very good overall image quality; Good dynamic range & very good high ISO performance; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF performance; Sharp native lenses; Great performance with adapted optics; Compact design; Fully articulating LCD.
Sensor performance lags behind competition; No In-Body Image Stabilization; Sluggish burst speed with C-AF; Mediocre battery life; No 4Kp60; 1.7x 4K crop; Ergonomics could be better.
Read our Canon EOS R Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-3 III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-3 III First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Pentax KP

Canon EOS R

Pentax KP

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS R vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 III

Pentax KP

$1847
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP

Compared to Sony A7 III

Canon EOS R

Sony A7 III

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

$1865
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS R vs Sony A7 III

Pentax K-3 III

Sony A7 III

$1847
APS-C

Lens selection
High resolution composite

$1865
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Nikon Z7

Canon EOS R

Nikon Z7

$1583
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z7

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon Z7

$1847
APS-C

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$2147
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon Z7

Compared to Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z6

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon Z6

$1847
APS-C

High resolution composite
Longer stills battery life

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon Z6

Compared to Canon 90D

Canon EOS R

Canon 90D

$1583
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1199
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS R vs Canon 90D

Pentax K-3 III

Canon 90D

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1199
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon 90D

Compare Other Cameras?