Clicky

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
85
Imaging
66
Features
76
Overall
70
Canon EOS M3 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
55
Features
69
Overall
60

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Canon M3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Newer Model is Canon M6
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released October 2009
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Canon M3 and Pentax K-7, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Canon and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and K-7 (15MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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

The M3 was launched 5 years after the K-7 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Canon M3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the M3 grades vs the K-7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Pentax K-7

 M3 K-7 
ReleasedFebruary 2015October 2009More modern by 66 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Canon M3

 K-7 M3 

Common features in the Canon M3 and Pentax K-7

 M3 K-7 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon M3 provides physical measurements of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") with a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Pentax K-7 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

See the Canon M3 and Pentax K-7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the M3 compared to the K-7.

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M3 and K-7 is 85 and 60 respectively.

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes only by researching specifications. The image underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the M3 and K-7.

To sum up, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Canon M3 to result in more detail utilizing its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent M3 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon M3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-7
79
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW files
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Street Comparison

Canon M3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
features touch to focus
does not have image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
fixed screen
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Sports Comparison

Canon M3 Sports photography info
Pentax K-7 Sports photography info
61
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (4.2 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (250 CIPA)
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Travel Comparison

Canon M3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Travel photography camera
73
features touch to focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse function
low battery power (250 shots)
65
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
built-in flash
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon M3
Landscape photography with Pentax K-7
68
manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (250 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M3 Vlogging information
Pentax K-7 Vlogging information
80
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic support
does not have image stabilization
25
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Canon M3 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M3 and Pentax K-7
 Canon EOS M3Pentax K-7
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS M3 Pentax K-7
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2015-02-06 2009-10-02
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 6 Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 12800 2000
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF-M Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 23 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.2fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 366g (0.81 pounds) 750g (1.65 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 61
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 10.6
DXO Low light score 1169 536
Other
Battery life 250 pictures 980 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E17 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $481 $599