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Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5

Portability
55
Imaging
67
Features
74
Overall
69
Canon EOS 5D Mark III front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Canon 5D MIII
(Full Review)
  • 22MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
  • Introduced May 2012
  • Older Model is Canon 5D MII
  • Renewed by Canon 5D MIV
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • Updated by Pentax K-5 IIs
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Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Canon 5D MIII versus Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the 5D MIII (22MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the 5D MIII (Full frame) and K-5 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The 5D MIII was brought out 18 months later than the K-5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the 5D MIII grades vs the K-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

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

 5D MIII K-5 
IntroducedMay 2012December 2010Fresher by 18 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kSharper screen (+119k dot)

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

 K-5 5D MIII 

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

 5D MIII K-5 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon 5D MIII features outer measurements of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

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

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the 5D MIII versus the K-5.

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the 5D MIII and K-5 is 55 and 60 respectively.

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

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specs. The visual below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 5D MIII and K-5.

All in all, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 5D MIII featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Canon 5D MIII will offer you extra detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more recent 5D MIII is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 5D MIII
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
80
has manual focus
MP count decent (22 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
73
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Street photography info
Pentax K-5 Street photography info
58
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (950 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5D MIII as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count decent (22 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Travel photography features
Pentax K-5 Travel photography features
51
environment sealing
MP count decent (22 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (950g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
environment proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography advice
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
MP count decent (22 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Vlogging information
Pentax K-5 Vlogging information
27
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (950 grams)
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D MIII and Pentax K-5
 Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIPentax K-5
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 5D Mark III Pentax K-5
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-05-22 2010-12-18
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 5+ Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 22 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 5760 x 3840 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max boosted ISO 102400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 61 11
Cross type focus points 41 9
Lens
Lens support Canon EF Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 250 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology Clear View II TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 950 grams (2.09 lb) 740 grams (1.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 81 82
DXO Color Depth rating 24.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 14.1
DXO Low light rating 2293 1162
Other
Battery life 950 shots 980 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E6 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual 1
Pricing at launch $2,780 $800