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Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3

Portability
56
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Canon EOS 7D front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Canon 7D
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 860g - 148 x 111 x 74mm
  • Announced November 2009
  • New Model is Canon 7D 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the 7D (18MP) and K-3 (24MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The 7D was brought out 5 years prior to the K-3 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the 7D scores against the K-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon 7D over the Pentax K-3

 7D K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Canon 7D

 K-3 7D 
RevealedApril 2014November 2009More recent by 53 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)

Common features in the Canon 7D and Pentax K-3

 7D K-3 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon 7D has outer measurements of 148mm x 111mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") and a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Examine the Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the 7D against the K-3.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the 7D and K-3 is 56 and 59 respectively.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 7D and K-3.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Pentax K-3 to render extra detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older 7D will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 7D Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
74
focusing manually
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
79
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 7D as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
57
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Canon 7D Sports photography advice
Pentax K-3 Sports photography advice
64
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (800 shots)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
low battery life (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 7D Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Travel photography highlights
54
environment proof
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery power (800 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
60
environment sealing
good megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
low battery life (560 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 7D Landscape photography details
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography details
63
focusing manually
swap lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (800 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
low battery life (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 7D Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-3 Vlogging highlights
29
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 7D and Pentax K-3
 Canon EOS 7DPentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS 7D Pentax K-3
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-11-06 2014-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Dual Digic 4 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 5184 x 3456 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 19 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 326 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 860 gr (1.90 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 148 x 111 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 80
DXO Color Depth score 22.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 13.4
DXO Low light score 854 1216
Other
Battery life 800 pictures 560 pictures
Type of battery 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 or II), UDMA, Microdrive cards Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One Two
Retail cost $1,050 $639