Canon EOS R3vs X-E4vs Pentax K-3 Mark III
Canon
Canon EOS R3 (2021)
From £5999
Best for Sports & photojournalism professionals
View Canon EOS R3
Pentax
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
From £1699
Best for DSLR enthusiasts & outdoor photographers
View Pentax K-3 Mark III
Which should you buy?
Sports & Photojournalism Professionals — Canon EOS R3 (2021): The pinnacle of Canon's mirrorless lineup for speed — Eye Control AF and 30fps burst in the most rugged body Canon has ever produced.
Compact Street & Travel Photography — X-E4 (2021): The X-E4 is for photographers who want the minimum camera that still delivers maximum image quality. If you love shooting from the rear screen and want the smallest possible X-mount body, this is your camera. If you need a viewfinder or IBIS, look at the X-S20 or X-T30 II.
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
Canon EOS R3 (2021)
- You shoot sport, motorsport, wildlife, or news at a professional level
- You need Canon's most reliable and fastest autofocus available
- You need extreme weather sealing for demanding shooting conditions
X-E4 (2021)
- Street photographers who prioritise portability and discretion
- Travel photographers packing minimally
- Fujifilm fans who shoot primarily from the rear screen
- Anyone who wants the X-Trans sensor in the smallest possible body
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
- You're a committed DSLR photographer with significant investment in Pentax glass
- You shoot in extreme weather conditions and place build quality and reliability above everything
- You prefer optical viewfinder performance and want the best modern APS-C DSLR available
Quick take: The x-e4 has the highest resolution at 26mp; the x-e4 is the most affordable; only the canon eos r3, pentax k-3 mark iii are weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Canon EOS R3 (2021) | X-E4 (2021) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £5,999 | £699 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.1MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 26.1MP | 25.7MP |
| Video | 6K RAW, 4K/120p, 1080p/180p | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with Eye Control AF | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | 8-stop IBIS | None (no IBIS) | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 12fps mechanical | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 12fps |
| Battery Life | 620 shots (CIPA) | ~460 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1015g body only | 364g (body only) | 820g body only |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 142.6 × 87.2mm | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.76" OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 120fps | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon RF | Fujifilm X-mount | Pentax KF-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual CFexpress Type B | Single SD UHS-I | Dual SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
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