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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
70
Overall
67
Canon EOS 5D Mark II front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs

Canon 5D MII
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 850g - 152 x 114 x 75mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Succeeded the Canon 5D
  • Replacement is Canon 5D MIII
Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Released March 2021
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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Canon 5D MII and Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the 5D MII (21MP) and the K-3 III (26MP) is relatively comparable but the 5D MII (Full frame) and K-3 III (APS-C) possess different sensor sizes.

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The 5D MII was announced 13 years prior to the K-3 III which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the 5D MII matches up versus the K-3 III when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5D MII over the Pentax K-3 III

 5D MII K-3 III 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Canon 5D MII

 K-3 III 5D MII 
ReleasedMarch 2021February 2009More modern by 147 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k920kClearer screen (+700k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon 5D MII and Pentax K-3 III

 5D MII K-3 III 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Canon 5D MII provides external dimensions of 152mm x 114mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") having a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 III has specifications of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") having a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

Compare the Canon 5D MII and Pentax K-3 III in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the 5D MII vs the K-3 III.

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 5D MII and K-3 III is 56 and 58 respectively.

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-3 III top view buttons comparison

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through specifications. The picture underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 5D MII and K-3 III.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 5D MII having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Pentax K-3 III will produce more detail with its extra 5MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged 5D MII will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 5D MII
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 III
79
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
82
focusing manually
sensor resolution is fantastic (26 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 5D MII Street photography features
Pentax K-3 III Street photography features
59
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
environment proofing
above average high ISO (1,600,000)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5D MII Sports photography advice
Pentax K-3 III Sports photography advice
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is fantastic (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (800 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D MII Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 III Travel photography highlights
55
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
64
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
sensor resolution is fantastic (26 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (800 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D MII Landscape photography information
Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography information
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is fantastic (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average high ISO (1,600,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
not so great battery pack (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MII as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Vlogging camera
29
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
35
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D MII and Pentax K-3 III
 Canon EOS 5D Mark IIPentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 5D Mark II Pentax K-3 Mark III
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-02-13 2021-03-31
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 26 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5616 x 3744 6192 x 4128
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600000
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 101
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Canon EF Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 250 156
Focal length multiplier 1 1.6
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 1,620 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash 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
Max flash synchronize 1/200s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 850 grams (1.87 lb) 820 grams (1.81 lb)
Dimensions 152 x 114 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1815 not tested
Other
Battery life 850 images 800 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E6 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Card slots One 2
Launch cost $1,190 $1,999