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Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
57
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Canon EOS D30 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Canon D30
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 855g - 150 x 107 x 75mm
  • Revealed October 2000
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Announced April 2014
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the D30 (3MP) and K-3 (24MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D30 was brought out 14 years earlier than the K-3 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the D30 grades against the K-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon D30 over the Pentax K-3

 D30 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Canon D30

 K-3 D30 
AnnouncedApril 2014October 2000Newer by 164 months
Display dimension3.2"1.8"Larger display (+1.4")
Display resolution1037k120kSharper display (+917k dot)

Common features in the Canon D30 and Pentax K-3

 D30 K-3 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon D30 has external dimensions of 150mm x 107mm x 75mm (5.9" x 4.2" x 3.0") with a weight of 855 grams (1.88 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the D30 versus the K-3.

Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D30 and K-3 is 57 and 59 respectively.

Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specifications. The image below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D30 and K-3.

Plainly, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax K-3 to deliver greater detail having its extra 21MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged D30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon D30 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
47
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
low MP (3 megapixels)
79
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon D30
Street photography with Pentax K-3
50
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon D30
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
36
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (3 megapixels)
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon D30 Travel photography info
Pentax K-3 Travel photography info
40
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
low MP (3MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
60
environment sealing
good megapixels (24MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery life (560 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon D30 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography advice
43
has manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (3 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery life (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon D30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Canon D30 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon D30 and Pentax K-3
 Canon EOS D30Pentax K-3
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS D30 Pentax K-3
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2000-10-10 2014-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.7 x 15.1mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 342.8mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 3 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 2160 x 1440 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 3 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 250 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 1.8 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 120 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 855 gr (1.88 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 150 x 107 x 75mm (5.9" x 4.2" x 3.0") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life - 560 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 Dual
Cost at release $3,500 $639