X-A7vs Pentax K-3 Mark IIIvs A7C
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?
Beginner Fujifilm — X-A7 (2019): The most affordable X-mount entry — Fujifilm colour and film simulations with a large flip screen for beginners.
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.
Compact Travel & Content Creation — A7C (2020): The A7C proves full-frame doesn't have to be bulky. Excellent battery life, reliable Eye AF and a vari-angle screen in a pocketable body is a compelling combination for travel and content creators. The A7C II improved on it, but the original remains a strong value buy.
Who should buy what
X-A7 (2019)
- You want an affordable first mirrorless with decent video capabilities
- You shoot a lot of selfie-style content or vlog on a budget
- Note: no viewfinder and limited lens support — the X-T30 II is a better long-term investment
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
A7C (2020)
- Travel photographers who want full-frame in the smallest possible body
- Content creators who need a flip screen and reliable Eye AF
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want to keep a compact kit
- Vloggers who need 4K and great battery life on the road
Quick take: The pentax k-3 mark iii has the highest resolution at 26mp; the x-a7 is the most affordable; only the pentax k-3 mark iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-A7 (2019) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) | A7C (2020) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £399 | £1,699 | £1,299 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS (Bayer, not X-Trans) | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) | 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 25.7MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect + contrast, 425 points | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) | Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 6fps | 12fps | 10fps with AF/AE tracking |
| Battery Life | ~440 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) | ~740 shots (CIPA) — outstanding for a Sony mirrorless |
| Weight | 320g body only | 820g body only | 509g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 118.0 × 80.6 × 55.2mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm | 124.0 × 71.1 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | None | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification | None built-in — use rear screen or accessory EVF |
| Screen | 3.5" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Pentax KF-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro HDMI | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
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