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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
70
Overall
67
Canon EOS 5D Mark II front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Canon 5D MII
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 850g - 152 x 114 x 75mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Old Model is Canon 5D
  • Replacement is Canon 5D MIII
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • New Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 Overview

The following is a thorough assessment of the Canon 5D MII versus Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the 5D MII (21MP) and K-1 (36MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The 5D MII was brought out 8 years earlier than the K-1 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the 5D MII grades vs the K-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5D MII over the Pentax K-1

 5D MII K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Canon 5D MII

 K-1 5D MII 
LaunchedFebruary 2016February 2009Newer by 85 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)

Common features in the Canon 5D MII and Pentax K-1

 5D MII K-1 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon 5D MII has got external dimensions of 152mm x 114mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") and a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Analyze the Canon 5D MII versus Pentax K-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the 5D MII versus the K-1.

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the 5D MII and K-1 is 56 and 55 respectively.

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specifications. The image underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the 5D MII and K-1.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Pentax K-1 to offer more detail having its extra 15 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged 5D MII is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5D MII Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
decent MP (21 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
85
has manual focus
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 5D MII as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
59
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
very good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5D MII as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
decent MP (21MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (4.4 fps)
bad battery life (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D MII Travel photography details
Pentax K-1 Travel photography details
55
weather proofing
decent MP (21 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
53
environment sealing
MP count excellent (36MP)
bad battery life (760 shots)
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D MII Landscape photography information
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography information
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent MP (21 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
bad battery life (760 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MII Vlogging details
Pentax K-1 Vlogging details
29
provides face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
does not feature selfie friendly display
more heavy than others in class (1,010 grams)
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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D MII and Pentax K-1
 Canon EOS 5D Mark IIPentax K-1
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II Pentax K-1
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-02-13 2016-02-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 5616 x 3744 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 6400 204800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 250 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 850g (1.87 pounds) 1010g (2.23 pounds)
Dimensions 152 x 114 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 96
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 11.9 14.6
DXO Low light score 1815 3280
Other
Battery life 850 shots 760 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E6 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots One Dual
Retail price $1,190 $1,499