Canon G3X vs Pentax K-1 II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon G3X vs Pentax K-1 II

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G3X Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G3X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G3X.
Compare Canon G3X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G3X conclusion.

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1 II.
Compare Pentax K-1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 II conclusion.

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Differences

Canon G3X advantages over Pentax K-1 II

Less expensive
$749* vs $1997
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
739g vs 1010g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
540k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Faster JPEG shooting
7.3 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Canon G3X

Larger sensor
35mm vs 1 inch
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
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~1.40 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

670 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Newer
6 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.41 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
36.4 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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
Bigger JPEG buffer
77 vs 9 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
4.6 fps vs 0.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
819200 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
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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

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
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 G3X User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 II User Reviews

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Buy the Canon G3X

Canon G3X

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Buy the Pentax K-1 II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-105mm Lens

All K-1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Good overall optical performance from the 24-600mm eq. lens; Very good image quality and high ISO performance for this class, especially with RAW; Lots of external controls; Comfortable grip; Shoots 1080/60p video; Includes both mic and headphone jack, Focus peaking for video; Clean HDMI.
No built-in EVF; Mediocre AF speeds; Sluggish burst rate with RAW/RAW+JPG and with servo AF; Below average battery life; No 4K video unlike competitors.
Read our Canon G3X Review

Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.
Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.
Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Canon G3X

Panasonic FZ1000

$749
1 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G3X vs Panasonic FZ1000

Pentax K-1 II

Panasonic FZ1000

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Canon G3X

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$749
1 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$899
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G3X vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Pentax K-1 II

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
1 inch

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Pentax K-1

Canon G3X

Pentax K-1

$749
1 inch

Touchscreen
NFC

$1800
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G3X vs Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

$1747
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$1800
35mm

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Nikon D850

Canon G3X

Nikon D850

$749
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G3X vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000 II

Canon G3X

Panasonic FZ1000 II

$749
1 inch

NFC
More telephoto lens reach

$865
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G3X vs Panasonic FZ1000 II

Pentax K-1 II

Panasonic FZ1000 II

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$865
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic FZ1000 II

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