Pentax K-7 vs Canon ELPH 300 HS

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-7 vs Canon ELPH 300 HS

APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-7.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon ELPH 300 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the ELPH 300 HS.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5
Compare K-7 vs K-5

Succeeded by the Canon 310 HS
Compare ELPH 300 HS vs 310 HS

Compare PENTAX K-5 vs CANON 310 HS

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Differences

Pentax K-7 advantages over Canon ELPH 300 HS

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 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
~ 5.07 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

740 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.54 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
14.6 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
5.2 fps vs 3.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon ELPH 300 HS advantages over Pentax K-7

Less expensive
$250 vs $1300 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Thinner
19 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
141g vs 758g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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

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Buy the Pentax K-7

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Buy the Canon ELPH 300 HS

Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-7 Full Review

Read our Canon ELPH 300 HS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Pentax K-7

Panasonic DMC-FX48S

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$259
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Panasonic DMC-FX48S

$235
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
HDMI out

$259
1/2.33 inch

Longer stills battery life
Longer exposure

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Sony DSLR-A380

$235
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Canon T2i

Pentax K-7

Canon T2i

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon T2i

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon T2i

$235
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon T2i

Compared to Sony A55

Pentax K-7

Sony A55

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A55

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Sony A55

$235
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

$734
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Sony A55

Compared to Canon 320 HS

Pentax K-7

Canon 320 HS

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$231
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon 320 HS

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon 320 HS

$235
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$231
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
More dots on screen

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon 320 HS

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