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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
70
Overall
67
Canon EOS 5D Mark II front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
77
Features
82
Overall
79

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Canon 5D MII
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 850g - 152 x 114 x 75mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Earlier Model is Canon 5D
  • Refreshed by Canon 5D MIII
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-1
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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon 5D MII versus Pentax K-1 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the 5D MII (21MP) and K-1 II (36MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The 5D MII was launched 10 years prior to the K-1 II and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the 5D MII scores against the K-1 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 5D MII K-1 II 

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

 K-1 II 5D MII 
RevealedFebruary 2018February 2009More recent by 109 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kSharper screen (+117k dot)

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

 5D MII K-1 II 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon 5D MII offers external measurements of 152mm x 114mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") and a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has specifications of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Canon 5D MII versus Pentax K-1 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the 5D MII against the K-1 II.

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

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 5D MII and K-1 II is 56 and 55 respectively.

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

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading technical specs. The graphic here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 5D MII and K-1 II.

As you can tell, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Pentax K-1 II to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 15 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older 5D MII is going to be behind in sensor technology.

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

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

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 5D MII
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1 II
79
you can focus manually
MP count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
86
manual focus
excellent sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 5D MII
Street photography with Pentax K-1 II
59
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
good high ISO (819,200)
heavier than competitors in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 5D MII
Sports photography with Pentax K-1 II
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count good (21MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (4.4 fps)
terrible battery (670 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D MII Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography advice
55
weather proofing
MP count good (21 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
53
environment sealing
excellent sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
terrible battery (670 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (1,010g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D MII Landscape photography info
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography info
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Canon EF mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
MP count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
does not have image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
82
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
good high ISO (819,200)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (670 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MII Vlogging features
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging features
29
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (1,010g)
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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D MII and Pentax K-1 II
 Canon EOS 5D Mark IIPentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 5D Mark II Pentax K-1 Mark II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-02-13 2018-02-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 5616 x 3744 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 819200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF Pentax KAF4
Number of lenses 250 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None 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
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 850g (1.87 lbs) 1010g (2.23 lbs)
Physical 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 All around rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1815 not tested
Other
Battery life 850 shots 670 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E6 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots 1 Dual
Pricing at launch $1,190 $1,737