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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-5

Portability
57
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Canon EOS 50D front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Previous Model is Canon 40D
  • New Model is Canon 60D
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Canon 50D versus Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the 50D (15MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The 50D was manufactured 3 years prior to the K-5 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the 50D matches up versus the K-5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Pentax K-5

 50D K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Canon 50D

 K-5 50D 
AnnouncedDecember 2010October 2008More modern by 25 months
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Canon 50D and Pentax K-5

 50D K-5 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Canon 50D offers exterior measurements of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") having a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

See the Canon 50D versus Pentax K-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the 50D against the K-5.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the 50D and K-5 is 57 and 60 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the 50D and K-5.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax K-5 to resolve greater detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged 50D is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 50D vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 50D Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography factors
72
manual focus
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
73
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 50D Street photography advice
Pentax K-5 Street photography advice
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Canon 50D Sports photography advice
Pentax K-5 Sports photography advice
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low battery pack (800 shots)
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 50D
Travel photography with Pentax K-5
57
weather proof
megapixel count decent (15MP)
built-in flash
low battery pack (800 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
65
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 50D Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography features
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no image stabilization
low battery pack (800 CIPA)
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 50D
Vlogging with Pentax K-5
9
no video recording
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Canon 50D vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 50D and Pentax K-5
 Canon EOS 50DPentax K-5
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS 50D Pentax K-5
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2008-10-30 2010-12-18
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4752 x 3168 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 51200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 326 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT liquid-crystal color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.3fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 822 grams (1.81 lbs) 740 grams (1.63 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 63 82
DXO Color Depth score 21.8 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.4 14.1
DXO Low light score 696 1162
Other
Battery life 800 pictures 980 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-511A D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $996 $800