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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
57
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57
Canon EOS 50D front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs

Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Revealed October 2008
  • Succeeded the Canon 40D
  • Renewed by Canon 60D
Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Launched March 2021
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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Canon 50D and Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and K-3 III (26MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The 50D was unveiled 13 years earlier than the K-3 III which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the 50D scores against the K-3 III in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 50D K-3 III 

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

 K-3 III 50D 
LaunchedMarch 2021October 2008More modern by 151 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k920kCrisper display (+700k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

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

 50D K-3 III 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon 50D provides outer measurements of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") along with a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 III has dimensions of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") and a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

Check the Canon 50D and Pentax K-3 III in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the 50D against the K-3 III.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the 50D and K-3 III is 57 and 58 respectively.

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

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The pic below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the 50D and K-3 III.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax K-3 III to give you more detail having an extra 11MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged 50D is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon 50D Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography features
71
manual focus
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
82
you can focus manually
great resolution (26MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 50D
Street photography with Pentax K-3 III
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
70
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (1,600,000)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Canon 50D as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Sports photography camera
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great resolution (26 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery (800 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 50D Travel photography information
Pentax K-3 III Travel photography information
57
environment sealing
good MP (15MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
64
environment proof
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
great resolution (26MP)
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 50D as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Landscape photography camera
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good MP (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (800 shots)
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great resolution (26MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (1,600,000)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-3 III Vlogging highlights
9
no video
35
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 50D and Pentax K-3 III
 Canon EOS 50DPentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 50D Pentax K-3 Mark III
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-10-30 2021-03-31
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 26MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4752 x 3168 6192 x 4128
Max native ISO 3200 1600000
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 101
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 326 156
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.6
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 1,620k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.3 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 822 gr (1.81 lb) 820 gr (1.81 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 63 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 696 not tested
Other
Battery life 800 pictures 800 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-511A D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Card slots One Dual
Cost at launch $996 $1,999