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Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-1

Portability
55
Imaging
68
Features
74
Overall
70
Canon EOS 5D Mark III front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Canon 5D MIII
(Full Review)
  • 22MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
  • Launched May 2012
  • Earlier Model is Canon 5D MII
  • Newer Model is Canon 5D MIV
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
Photography Glossary

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Canon 5D MIII versus Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the 5D MIII (22MP) and K-1 (36MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The 5D MIII was manufactured 4 years earlier than the K-1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the 5D MIII scores versus the K-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 5D MIII K-1 
Display resolution1040k1037kClearer display (+3k dot)

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

 K-1 5D MIII 
LaunchedFebruary 2016May 2012Fresher by 45 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display

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

 5D MIII K-1 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Canon 5D MIII comes with exterior measurements of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 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).

Look at the Canon 5D MIII versus Pentax K-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the 5D MIII and the K-1.

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

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

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

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by reading technical specs. The photograph here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 5D MIII and K-1.

As you can tell, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax K-1 to deliver extra detail due to its extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The older 5D MIII is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5D MIII as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
80
focusing manually
good megapixels (22 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
85
has manual focus
resolution is amazing (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 5D MIII as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
58
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (950g)
70
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
good high ISO (204,800)
heavier than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Sports photography info
Pentax K-1 Sports photography info
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (22 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
low battery life (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 5D MIII
Travel photography with Pentax K-1
51
weather proofing
good megapixels (22 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (950g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
53
environment proofing
resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
low battery life (760 per charge)
heavier than competitors (1,010g)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography advice
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
good megapixels (22MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (204,800)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery life (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Vlogging advice
Pentax K-1 Vlogging advice
27
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (950g)
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D MIII and Pentax K-1
 Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIPentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 5D Mark III Pentax K-1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-05-22 2016-02-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 22 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 5760 x 3840 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 25600 204800
Max enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 61 33
Cross type focus points 41 25
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 250 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 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
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 950 gr (2.09 pounds) 1010 gr (2.23 pounds)
Dimensions 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 81 96
DXO Color Depth rating 24.0 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 14.6
DXO Low light rating 2293 3280
Other
Battery life 950 photographs 760 photographs
Style 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 shooting
Storage media Compact Flash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots Dual Dual
Retail cost $2,780 $1,499