Clicky

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
85
Imaging
66
Features
76
Overall
70
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Canon M3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Updated by Canon M6
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Canon M3 versus Pentax K-1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and K-1 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

The M3 was manufactured 12 months before the K-1 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon M3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick overview of how the M3 matches up against the K-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Pentax K-1

 M3 K-1 
Display resolution1040k1037kCrisper display (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Canon M3

 K-1 M3 
LaunchedFebruary 2016February 2015Newer by 12 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon M3 and Pentax K-1

 M3 K-1 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon M3 has got physical dimensions of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") having a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check the Canon M3 versus Pentax K-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the M3 vs the K-1.

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M3 and K-1 is 85 and 55 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by looking through specifications. The pic underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the M3 and K-1.

To sum up, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The M3 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-1 will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged M3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography highlights
79
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
85
has manual focus
megapixel count great (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Street Comparison

Canon M3 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Street photography highlights
79
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
no image stabilization
70
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
good ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Sports Comparison

Canon M3 Sports photography information
Pentax K-1 Sports photography information
61
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (4.2 frames per second)
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (250 shots)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.4 frames/s)
not so great battery (760 shots)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon M3
Travel photography with Pentax K-1
73
supports focus by touch
good MP (24MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (250 shots)
53
weather proofing
megapixel count great (36 megapixels)
not so great battery (760 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (1,010 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Landscape Comparison

Canon M3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography advice
68
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (250 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
81
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count great (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery (760 CIPA)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon M3
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
80
selfie friendly display
touch screen
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone support
no image stabilization
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Pentax K-1
 Canon EOS M3Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS M3 Pentax K-1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2015-02-06 2016-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 36MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 12800 204800
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 49 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF-M Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 23 151
Crop factor 1.6 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.2fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro 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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 366 grams (0.81 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 96
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.8 14.6
DXO Low light rating 1169 3280
Other
Battery life 250 images 760 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E17 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots Single 2
Pricing at launch $481 $1,499