EOS M50vs Pentax K-3 Mark III
Pentax
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
Starting from £1699 new
Best for DSLR enthusiasts & outdoor photographers
View Pentax K-3 Mark III
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Casual & Vlogging — EOS M50 (2018): The EOS M50 is the most complete-feeling entry-level EF-M camera — built-in EVF, fully articulating screen, Dual Pixel AF, and a well-designed compact body. Its 4K video carries a significant crop and loses Dual Pixel AF, making 1080p the practical option — but for stills and casual video, it remains an excellent used-market buy.
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 M50 (2018)
- Beginner photographers who want an EVF in a compact mirrorless
- Vloggers who want face-tracking AF and a flip screen
- Students stepping up to their first mirrorless camera
- Used-market shoppers wanting a well-rounded EF-M package
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
- DSLR photographers who want the finest APS-C optical viewfinder experience
- Outdoor and weather photographers who need robust all-weather sealing
- Pentax lens owners who want to use their existing K-mount glass
- Photographers who prefer optical viewfinders and refuse to switch to mirrorless
Quick take: The pentax k-3 mark iii has the highest resolution at 26mp; the eos m50 is the most affordable; only the pentax k-3 mark iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | EOS M50 (2018) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.1MP APS-C CMOS (Dual Pixel) | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 25.7MP |
| Video | 4K/24p (crop, no Dual Pixel AF), 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with face and subject detection | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | — | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 12fps |
| Battery Life | ~235 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 387g (body only) | 820g body only |
| Dimensions | 116.3 × 88.1 × 58.7mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.39" type | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon EF-M mount | Pentax KF-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | EOS M50 | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Street | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history