Canon 80D vs Pentax K-3
59 Imaging
66 Features
92 Overall
76


59 Imaging
65 Features
85 Overall
73
Canon 80D vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(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
- Released April 2014
- Replacement is Pentax K-3 II

Canon 80D vs Pentax K-3 Overview
In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Canon 80D and Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the 80D (24MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is pretty well matched and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

The 80D was brought out 23 months later than the K-3 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the 80D grades against the K-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 80D vs Pentax K-3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 80D and Pentax K-3. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon 80D Gallery and Pentax K-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 80D over the Pentax K-3
80D | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2016 | ![]() | April 2014 | Fresher by 23 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 1037k | Sharper screen (+3k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Canon 80D
K-3 | 80D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Canon 80D and Pentax K-3
80D | K-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing |
Canon 80D vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon 80D offers external dimensions of 139mm x 105mm x 79mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 730 grams (1.61 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
See the Canon 80D and Pentax K-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the 80D against the K-3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the 80D and K-3 is 59 and 59 respectively.

Canon 80D vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by checking specs. The graphic below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the 80D and K-3.
All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs however you have to take the release date of the products into consideration. The younger 80D is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 80D vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 80D vs Pentax K-3 Specifications
Canon EOS 80D | Pentax K-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon EOS 80D | Pentax K-3 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2016-02-18 | 2014-04-10 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 6 | Prime III |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 22.5 x 15mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 337.5mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 6016 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 16000 | 51200 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 45 | 27 |
Cross focus points | 45 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Canon EF/EF-S | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 326 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3.2 inches |
Display resolution | 1,040 thousand dots | 1,037 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.6x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 7.0 frames/s | 8.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | - | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 730g (1.61 pounds) | 800g (1.76 pounds) |
Dimensions | 139 x 105 x 79mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 3.1") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 79 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.6 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 13.2 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light score | 1135 | 1216 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 960 photographs | 560 photographs |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LP-E6N | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I support) | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | Dual |
Price at launch | $1,199 | $639 |