Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3
57 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57


59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(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
- Revealed April 2014
- New Model is Pentax K-3 II

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 Overview
The following is a comprehensive overview of the Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and K-3 (24MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (APS-C).

The 50D was launched 6 years prior to the K-3 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the 50D matches up vs the K-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 50D and Pentax K-3. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon 50D Gallery and Pentax K-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Pentax K-3
50D | K-3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Canon 50D
K-3 | 50D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2014 | ![]() | October 2008 | Newer by 66 months |
Screen size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper screen (+117k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 50D and Pentax K-3
50D | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon 50D provides exterior dimensions of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") with a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Check out the Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the 50D compared to the K-3.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the 50D and K-3 is 57 and 59 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 50D and K-3.
As you can see, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax K-3 to resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged 50D is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 Specifications
Canon EOS 50D | Pentax K-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon EOS 50D | Pentax K-3 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2008-10-30 | 2014-04-10 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | Prime III |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Peak resolution | 4752 x 3168 | 6016 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 51200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 12800 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 27 |
Cross type focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF/EF-S | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 326 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3.2" |
Resolution of screen | 920 thousand dot | 1,037 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.6x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 6.3fps | 8.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m (ISO 100) | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | 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 | ||
Max flash sync | 1/250s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 822 gr (1.81 lb) | 800 gr (1.76 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 63 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.8 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.4 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 696 | 1216 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 photographs | 560 photographs |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BP-511A | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 2 |
Cost at release | $996 | $639 |