Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3
56 Imaging
57 Features
70 Overall
62


59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 7D and Pentax K-3. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon 7D Gallery and Pentax K-3 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2014 | ![]() | November 2009 | More recent by 53 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer screen (+117k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 7D and Pentax K-3
7D | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 Specifications
Canon EOS 7D | Pentax 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 |