Clicky

Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3

Portability
59
Imaging
68
Features
70
Overall
68
Canon EOS 6D front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Canon 6D
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 770g - 145 x 111 x 71mm
  • Released February 2013
  • New Model is Canon 6D MII
Pentax K-3
(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
  • Announced April 2014
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-3 II
Photography Glossary

Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Canon 6D and Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the 6D (20MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is relatively close but the 6D (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizing.

Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

The 6D was revealed 14 months earlier than the K-3 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the 6D scores against the K-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon 6D over the Pentax K-3

 6D K-3 
Screen resolution1040k1037kClearer screen (+3k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Canon 6D

 K-3 6D 
AnnouncedApril 2014February 2013More modern by 14 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon 6D and Pentax K-3

 6D K-3 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Canon 6D provides outside dimensions of 145mm x 111mm x 71mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 2.8") with a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Canon 6D and Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the 6D and the K-3.

Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the 6D and K-3 is 59 and 59 respectively.

Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the 6D and K-3.

As you can tell, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 6D with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax K-3 will render greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged 6D will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 6D Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
80
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
79
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Canon 6D Street photography advice
Pentax K-3 Street photography advice
63
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
good high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Canon 6D Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 Sports photography features
69
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather proof
better than average battery power (1,090 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.5 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
low battery life (560 per charge)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Canon 6D Travel photography advice
Pentax K-3 Travel photography advice
61
better than average battery power (1,090 per charge)
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
60
environment proofing
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery life (560 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly display
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Canon 6D Landscape photography information
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
74
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery power (1,090 shots)
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery life (560 shots)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 6D as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
30
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon 6D vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 6D and Pentax K-3
 Canon EOS 6DPentax K-3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 6D Pentax K-3
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-02-12 2014-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 20 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Max enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 27
Cross type focus points 1 25
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 250 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Clear View II TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 97 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.5 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 770 grams (1.70 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 145 x 111 x 71mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 2.8") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 82 80
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.1 13.4
DXO Low light rating 2340 1216
Other
Battery life 1090 pictures 560 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E6 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One Dual
Retail pricing $1,699 $639