Pentax K-500 vs Canon G1X Mark III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-500 vs Canon G1X Mark III

APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-500 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-500.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 72.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G1X Mark III Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G1X Mark III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G1X Mark III.

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Canon G1X Mark III

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

710 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G1X Mark III advantages over Pentax K-500

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
51 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
6 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
9.3 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
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.
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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 K-500 User Reviews

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Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
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Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-500, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-500 First Shots

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon G1X Mark III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon G1X Mark III Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-500

Sony A57

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57

Canon G1X Mark III

Sony A57

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-500

Pentax K-5 IIs

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon G1X Mark III

Pentax K-5 IIs

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-500

Canon T5i

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Canon T5i

Canon G1X Mark III

Canon T5i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Canon T5i

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Pentax K-500

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1534
APS-C

Thinner
Higher max flash sync

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Canon G1X Mark III

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1534
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Compared to Fujifilm X70

Pentax K-500

Fujifilm X70

$597
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Fujifilm X70

Canon G1X Mark III

Fujifilm X70

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X Mark III vs Fujifilm X70

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