Canon 5D vs Pentax K-3 II
55 Imaging
55 Features
41 Overall
49


59 Imaging
66 Features
84 Overall
73
Canon 5D vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 13MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Canon EF Mount
- 895g - 152 x 113 x 75mm
- Revealed November 2005
- Refreshed by Canon 5D MII
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Revealed April 2015
- Old Model is Pentax K-3

Canon 5D vs Pentax K-3 II Overview
Here, we are analyzing the Canon 5D vs Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the 5D (13MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the 5D (Full frame) and K-3 II (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

The 5D was announced 10 years prior to the K-3 II which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the 5D matches up versus the K-3 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon 5D vs Pentax K-3 II Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS 5D & Pentax K-3 II. The whole galleries are available at Canon 5D Gallery & Pentax K-3 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 5D over the Pentax K-3 II
5D | K-3 II |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Canon 5D
K-3 II | 5D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2015 | ![]() | November 2005 | More modern by 114 months |
Display size | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.7") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+807k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 5D and Pentax K-3 II
5D | K-3 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Absent Touch display |
Canon 5D vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon 5D provides external dimensions of 152mm x 113mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Compare the Canon 5D vs Pentax K-3 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the 5D compared to the K-3 II.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the 5D and K-3 II is 55 and 59 respectively.

Canon 5D vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison
Often, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through technical specs. The pic below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 5D and K-3 II.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 5D with its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax K-3 II will give extra detail with its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged 5D is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon 5D vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications
Canon EOS 5D | Pentax K-3 II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon EOS 5D | Pentax K-3 II |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2005-11-12 | 2015-04-23 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic II | Prime III |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 864.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 13MP | 24MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4368 x 2912 | 6016 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 27 |
Cross type focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Canon EF | Pentax KAF2 |
Number of lenses | 250 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5" | 3.2" |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 1,037k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0fps | 8.3fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | External | 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 (available with dedicated external flash) |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Optional |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 895 grams (1.97 lb) | 800 grams (1.76 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 152 x 113 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 71 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.9 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.1 | 13.6 |
DXO Low light rating | 1368 | 1106 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 pictures | 720 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BP-511A | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | 2 |
Pricing at release | $2,780 | $829 |