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Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
56
Imaging
57
Features
70
Overall
62
Canon EOS 7D front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs

Canon 7D
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 860g - 148 x 111 x 74mm
  • Revealed November 2009
  • Renewed by Canon 7D MII
Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Announced March 2021
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Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

Let's look closer at the Canon 7D versus Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the 7D (18MP) and K-3 III (26MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The 7D was revealed 12 years earlier than the K-3 III which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the 7D matches up versus the K-3 III with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 7D K-3 III 

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

 K-3 III 7D 
AnnouncedMarch 2021November 2009More modern by 138 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k920kClearer screen (+700k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

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

 7D K-3 III 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon 7D has external dimensions of 148mm x 111mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 III has specifications of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") having a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

Look at the Canon 7D versus Pentax K-3 III in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the 7D versus the K-3 III.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 7D and K-3 III is 56 and 58 respectively.

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

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing a spec sheet. The image below may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the 7D and K-3 III.

As you can see, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Pentax K-3 III to provide more detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged 7D will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon 7D Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography advice
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
82
focusing manually
resolution is high (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon 7D as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Street photography camera
57
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
70
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
has touch focus
weather proofing
good ISO range (1,600,000)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 7D Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 III Sports photography features
64
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
bad battery pack (800 per charge)
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is high (26 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery life (800 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 7D Travel photography info
Pentax K-3 III Travel photography info
53
weather sealing
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (800 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
64
weather proofing
has bluetooth
has touch focus
resolution is high (26 megapixels)
terrible battery life (800 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 7D as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Landscape photography camera
63
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
nice screen size (3")
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
no image stabilization
bad battery pack (800 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is high (26MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (1,600,000)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery life (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 7D Vlogging advice
Pentax K-3 III Vlogging advice
28
supports face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
35
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Canon 7D vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 7D and Pentax K-3 III
 Canon EOS 7DPentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS 7D Pentax K-3 Mark III
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-11-06 2021-03-31
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual Digic 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 26 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 5184 x 3456 6192 x 4128
Max native ISO 6400 1600000
Max enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 19 101
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 326 156
Crop factor 1.6 1.6
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 1,620 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/200s
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 860g (1.90 lb) 820g (1.81 lb)
Physical dimensions 148 x 111 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 854 not tested
Other
Battery life 800 pictures 800 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E6 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive cards Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Storage slots One 2
Price at release $1,050 $1,999