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Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3

Portability
58
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43
Canon EOS 30D front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Canon 30D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 784g - 144 x 106 x 74mm
  • Launched April 2006
  • Replaced the Canon 20D
  • Successor is Canon 40D
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
Photography Glossary

Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the 30D (8MP) and K-3 (24MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The 30D was announced 9 years earlier than the K-3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the 30D matches up against the K-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 30D over the Pentax K-3

 30D K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Canon 30D

 K-3 30D 
AnnouncedApril 2014April 2006Newer by 97 months
Screen dimension3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Canon 30D and Pentax K-3

 30D K-3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon 30D enjoys outer measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") and a weight of 784 grams (1.73 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Examine the Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the 30D against the K-3.

Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the 30D and K-3 is 58 and 59 respectively.

Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through specifications. The image below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the 30D and K-3.

Plainly, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should count on the Pentax K-3 to produce more detail with its extra 16MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged 30D will be behind in sensor technology.

Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 30D Portrait photography information
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography information
51
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (8MP)
79
manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 30D Street photography factors
Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
52
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
good high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 30D as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
44
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery life (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 30D
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
42
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
60
environment proofing
decent megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery life (560 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 30D Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography factors
46
has manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
77
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery life (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 30D Vlogging features
Pentax K-3 Vlogging features
9
lack of video recording
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Canon 30D vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 30D and Pentax K-3
 Canon EOS 30DPentax K-3
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS 30D Pentax K-3
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2006-04-04 2014-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.5 x 15mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 337.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 3504 x 2336 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 326 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 784 grams (1.73 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 144 x 106 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 59 80
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 13.4
DXO Low light score 736 1216
Other
Battery life - 560 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Two
Launch pricing $773 $639