Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-3
55 Imaging
67 Features
74 Overall
69


59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 22MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF Mount
- 950g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
- Announced May 2012
- Old Model is Canon 5D MII
- Successor is Canon 5D MIV
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- 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
- Later Model is Pentax K-3 II

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-3 Overview
Its time to look much closer at the Canon 5D MIII versus Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the 5D MIII (22MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is fairly similar but the 5D MIII (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

The 5D MIII was released 22 months before the K-3 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the 5D MIII grades against the K-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-3 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Pentax K-3. The complete galleries are available at Canon 5D MIII Gallery and Pentax K-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 5D MIII over the Pentax K-3
5D MIII | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 1037k | Clearer display (+3k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Canon 5D MIII
K-3 | 5D MIII | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2014 | ![]() | May 2012 | More recent by 22 months |
Common features in the Canon 5D MIII and Pentax K-3
5D MIII | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3.2" | Identical display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly display |
Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Canon 5D MIII has got outside dimensions of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Check out the Canon 5D MIII versus Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the 5D MIII against the K-3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the 5D MIII and K-3 is 55 and 59 respectively.

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specs. The photograph here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the 5D MIII and K-3.
All in all, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 5D MIII because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Pentax K-3 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older 5D MIII is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-3 Specifications
Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Pentax K-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Pentax K-3 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2012-05-22 | 2014-04-10 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 5+ | Prime III |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 22 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 5760 x 3840 | 6016 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 51200 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 102400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 61 | 27 |
Cross focus points | 41 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Canon EF | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 250 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3.2 inch | 3.2 inch |
Screen resolution | 1,040k dots | 1,037k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | Clear View II TFT LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.0 frames/s | 8.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/200 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 950g (2.09 lbs) | 800g (1.76 lbs) |
Dimensions | 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 81 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth score | 24.0 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light score | 2293 | 1216 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 950 photos | 560 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LP-E6 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Dual | Dual |
Pricing at launch | $2,780 | $639 |