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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
57
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Canon EOS 50D front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Announced October 2008
  • Earlier Model is Canon 40D
  • Replacement is Canon 60D
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Canon 50D and Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and K-3 II (24MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The 50D was manufactured 7 years before the K-3 II which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the 50D scores against the K-3 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Pentax K-3 II

 50D K-3 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Canon 50D

 K-3 II 50D 
ReleasedApril 2015October 2008More modern by 78 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kSharper screen (+117k dot)

Common features in the Canon 50D and Pentax K-3 II

 50D K-3 II 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon 50D features external measurements of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") having a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 II has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Canon 50D and Pentax K-3 II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the 50D vs the K-3 II.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the 50D and K-3 II is 57 and 59 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The pic here will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 50D and K-3 II.

As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Pentax K-3 II to offer you greater detail due to its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged 50D is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 50D Portrait photography info
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography info
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
79
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 50D as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Street photography camera
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 50D as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Sports photography camera
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (800 CIPA)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery (720 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 50D Travel photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography factors
57
weather sealing
MP count good (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (800 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
56
weather proofing
MP count good (24 megapixels)
bad battery (720 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon 50D Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography highlights
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count good (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (800 per charge)
78
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery (720 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D Vlogging factors
Pentax K-3 II Vlogging factors
9
lack of video recording
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 50D and Pentax K-3 II
 Canon EOS 50DPentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 50D Pentax K-3 II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2008-10-30 2015-04-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 332.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4752 x 3168 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 326 151
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.3 frames per second 8.3 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
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 All around rating 63 80
DXO Color Depth rating 21.8 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 13.6
DXO Low light rating 696 1106
Other
Battery life 800 images 720 images
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 feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 Two
Price at launch $996 $829