• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,216 vs 1,082 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.4 vs 11.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.25 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More cross-type AF points
    65 vs 25
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More AF points
    65 vs 27
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.5 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.5 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in 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
  • 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
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 7D Mark II

Review Excerpt

  • 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

  • Excellent image quality; High ISO performance improved over predecessor; Excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps); Significantly improved buffer depths; 65-pt AF system; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Can focus down to f/8 (great for teleconverters); 1080/60p video; Headphone and mic jacks; Rugged build quality.

  • Autofocus speed (AF shutter lag) slower than 7D and 70D; Mediocre battery life for a pro DSLR; Dynamic range at low to moderate ISOs not as good as competitors; Phase-detect AF did not perform as well as expected in our low-light AF tests; No built-in Wi-Fi; No autofocus for 1080/60p video.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Pentax K-3
Canon 7D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 7D
  • $1612
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag

Compared to Canon 6D

Pentax K-3
Canon 6D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1612
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon 7D Mark II
Nikon D7100
  • $1612
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 70D

Pentax K-3
Canon 70D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 70D
  • $1612
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3
Nikon D5300
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
Canon 7D Mark II
Nikon D5300
  • $1612
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Top deck display
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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