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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
70
Overall
67
Canon EOS 5D Mark II front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Canon 5D MII
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 850g - 152 x 114 x 75mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Succeeded the Canon 5D
  • New Model is Canon 5D MIII
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-S2
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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Canon 5D MII versus Pentax K-S1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the 5D MII (21MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is fairly well matched but the 5D MII (Full frame) and K-S1 (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

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The 5D MII was released 6 years before the K-S1 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the 5D MII matches up against the K-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5D MII over the Pentax K-S1

 5D MII K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Canon 5D MII

 K-S1 5D MII 
AnnouncedAugust 2014February 2009More recent by 67 months
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Canon 5D MII and Pentax K-S1

 5D MII K-S1 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and size. The Canon 5D MII has external measurements of 152mm x 114mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") along with a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has specifications of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Examine the Canon 5D MII versus Pentax K-S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the 5D MII compared to the K-S1.

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the 5D MII and K-S1 is 56 and 69 respectively.

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the 5D MII and K-S1.

Clearly, both the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 5D MII because of its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Canon 5D MII will give more detail as a result of its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The older 5D MII is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 5D MII
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S1
79
you can focus manually
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
78
you can focus manually
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 5D MII Street photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Street photography advice
59
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (558g)
very good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5D MII Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography highlights
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (5.4 frames per second)
low battery power (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D MII Travel photography features
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography features
55
weather proof
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
60
lighter than competition in class (558g)
MP count good (20MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
low battery power (410 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D MII as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
70
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
low battery power (410 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MII Vlogging details
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging details
29
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (558g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no external mic port
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Canon 5D MII vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D MII and Pentax K-S1
 Canon EOS 5D Mark IIPentax K-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 5D Mark II Pentax K-S1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-02-13 2014-08-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 5616 x 3744 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 250 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 5.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 850g (1.87 lb) 558g (1.23 lb)
Dimensions 152 x 114 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.5" x 3.0") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 78
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.9 13.0
DXO Low light rating 1815 1061
Other
Battery life 850 photos 410 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E6 D-LI109
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, Microdrive SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $1,190 $339