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Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
55
Imaging
68
Features
74
Overall
70
Canon EOS 5D Mark III front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Canon 5D MIII
(Full Review)
  • 22MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
  • Launched May 2012
  • Succeeded the Canon 5D MII
  • Later Model is Canon 5D MIV
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-5
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Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the 5D MIII (22MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the 5D MIII (Full frame) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The 5D MIII was revealed 12 months before the K-5 IIs which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the 5D MIII scores against the K-5 IIs with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 5D MIII K-5 IIs 
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k921kClearer display (+119k dot)

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

 K-5 IIs 5D MIII 
RevealedJune 2013May 2012More modern by 12 months

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

 5D MIII K-5 IIs 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Canon 5D MIII has exterior dimensions of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 IIs has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 IIs in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the 5D MIII vs the K-5 IIs.

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

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the 5D MIII and K-5 IIs is 55 and 60 respectively.

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

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The picture underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the 5D MIII and K-5 IIs.

As you have seen, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 5D MIII with its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Canon 5D MIII will offer you greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged 5D MIII is going to be behind in sensor tech.

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

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

Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 IIs 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 IIs
80
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (22MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Street photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography details
58
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
very good high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (950 grams)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 5D MIII
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (22MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Travel photography advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography advice
51
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (22MP)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (950 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Landscape photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography details
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (22 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Vlogging factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging factors
27
provides face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (950 grams)
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic support
display is not selfie friendly
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Canon 5D MIII vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D MIII and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Canon EOS 5D Mark IIIPentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 5D Mark III Pentax K-5 IIs
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-05-22 2013-06-04
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 area 864.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 22 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 5760 x 3840 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 50 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 61 11
Cross type focus points 41 9
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 250 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display 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 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 950g (2.09 lb) 760g (1.68 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 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 14.1
DXO Low light rating 2293 1208
Other
Battery life 950 shots 980 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E6 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 1
Cost at launch $2,780 $749