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


59 Imaging
66 Features
84 Overall
73
Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF/EF-S Mount
- 860g - 148 x 111 x 74mm
- Released November 2009
- Refreshed by Canon 7D MII
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- 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
- Introduced April 2015
- Previous Model is Pentax K-3

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 II Overview
In this write-up, we are analyzing the Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the 7D (18MP) and K-3 II (24MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

The 7D was launched 6 years prior to the K-3 II which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief summary of how the 7D matches up versus the K-3 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 II Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon EOS 7D & Pentax K-3 II. The complete galleries are available at Canon 7D Gallery & Pentax K-3 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 7D over the Pentax K-3 II
7D | K-3 II |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Canon 7D
K-3 II | 7D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2015 | ![]() | November 2009 | Newer by 66 months |
Display sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper display (+117k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 7D and Pentax K-3 II
7D | K-3 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Canon 7D has exterior dimensions of 148mm x 111mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") along with a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 II has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Analyze the Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the 7D vs the K-3 II.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 7D and K-3 II is 56 and 59 respectively.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison
Typically, its difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading through technical specs. The image below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 7D and K-3 II.
As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax K-3 II to give you more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged 7D is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications
Canon EOS 7D | Pentax K-3 II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon EOS 7D | Pentax K-3 II |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2009-11-06 | 2015-04-23 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor 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 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 6016 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 51200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 12800 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 19 | 27 |
Cross type focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF/EF-S | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 326 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3.2 inch |
Resolution of screen | 920k dot | 1,037k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
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 speed | 8.0 frames per sec | 8.3 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash) |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Optional |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 860 grams (1.90 lbs) | 800 grams (1.76 lbs) |
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 rating | 66 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.0 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.7 | 13.6 |
DXO Low light rating | 854 | 1106 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 photographs | 720 photographs |
Battery format | 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 | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive cards | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | Two |
Launch price | $1,050 | $829 |