Canon G1X vs Pentax K-3

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon G1X vs Pentax K-3

1.5 inch 261.8mm²
14.3 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G1X Review.
See real-world photos taken with the G1X.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon G1X Mark II
Compare G1X vs G1X Mark II

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Compare CANON G1X MARK II vs PENTAX K-3 II

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Differences

Canon G1X advantages over Pentax K-3

Less expensive
$800 vs $1150 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 24 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon G1X

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1.5 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
K-3 test data on DxO Mark G1X test data on DxO Mark

1,216 vs 644 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-3 test data on DxO Mark G1X test data on DxO Mark

13.4 vs 10.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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

560 vs 250 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
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.70 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 14.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 6 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G1X User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Large-sensor image quality. Sharp lens with useful zoom range. Tilt/swivel LCD. Twin dials. Smaller than competing interchangeable-lens cameras with a similar lens. Lots of photographer-friendly features.
Not as small as you might hope. Mediocre burst shooting and autofocus speed. Far too easy to accidentally change exposure compensation. Viewfinder is of surprisingly little use. Battery life could be better.
Read our Canon G1X Review

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon G1X

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$576
1.5 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Pentax K-3

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon G1X

Nikon D7100

$576
1.5 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$695
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon G1X vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$695
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Canon G1X

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$576
1.5 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Pentax K-3

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$899
APS-C

Higher max flash sync

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon G1X

Nikon D7200

$576
1.5 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1043
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon G1X vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1043
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Canon G1X

Canon G1X Mark III

$576
1.5 inch

Bigger pixels
More telephoto lens reach

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon G1X Mark III

Pentax K-3

Canon G1X Mark III

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon G1X Mark III

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