First Camera / Beginner Photography — EOS R100 (2023): The R100 does the basics well at the lowest possible price point. Its main value is as a gateway into the Canon RF ecosystem — the lenses you buy now will work on any Canon body you upgrade to later. Modest ambitions, reliably met.
Full-Frame Value — Z5 II (2024): The most accessible full-frame mirrorless — dual card slots, weather sealing, and Nikon colour at a sensible price.
Dslr Enthusiasts & Outdoor Photographers — Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021): The finest APS-C DSLR ever made — class-leading weather sealing, optical viewfinder, 5-axis IBIS, and extraordinary build for photographers committed to DSLR.
Who should buy what
EOS R100 (2023)
Z5 II (2024)
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
Quick take: The pentax k-3 mark iii has the highest resolution at 26mp; the eos r100 is the most affordable; only the z5 ii, pentax k-3 mark iii are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS R100 (2023) | Z5 II (2024) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £529 | £1,299 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.1MP APS-C CMOS | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 24.5MP | 25.7MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (slight crop), 1080p/60p | 4K/30p oversampled, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF, face detection, subject tracking | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) |
| Burst Rate | 6.5fps mechanical | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 12fps |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 356g (body, battery, card) | 700g body only | 820g body only |
| Dimensions | 116.3 × 85.5 × 68.8mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.9mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.59× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon RF-mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Pentax KF-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
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