Canon 5D vs Pentax K-5 II: A Deep-Dive into Two Advanced DSLRs Across a Decade

Selecting the right camera is never just about specs on paper; it’s the nuanced blend of ergonomics, image quality, autofocus precision, and how a tool fits your photographic ambitions. Today, we unravel two advanced DSLRs from distinct eras and approaches: the Canon EOS 5D (2005) and the Pentax K-5 II (2013). Though separated by almost eight years, they offer compelling insights into camera evolution and serve notably different market segments.

Having spent countless hours behind the eyepiece and in the lab, I’ll guide you through their core strengths, limitations, and real-world performances across major photography disciplines. Whether you’re eyeing portraiture, wildlife, or astrophotography - or simply want a versatile all-rounder - this comparison will help you navigate their distinct capabilities with clarity.

A Tale of Two Designs: Handling and Ergonomics

When you first lift either camera, physical presence speaks volumes about user intent. The Canon 5D boasts a solid, full-frame body measuring 152x113x75 mm and tipping the scales at 895 grams. Its heft conveys durability and stability, something studio shooters and landscape photographers will appreciate, especially when paired with heavy lenses. The body’s contours suit mid to large hands well, with a firm grip and button placements designed in the era where DSLR ergonomics were maturing for seasoned users.

In contrast, the Pentax K-5 II, a mid-size APS-C DSLR, is noticeably more compact at 131x97x73 mm and weighs 760 grams. The slight size and weight reduction make it friendlier for extended handheld use or street and travel photography where portability counts. Pentax maintains its hallmark weather sealing here, making the K-5 II a rugged companion for outdoor use.

Both cameras sport a pentaprism optical viewfinder, but the Pentax provides 100% frame coverage versus Canon’s slightly less generous 96%. This difference boosts composition confidence, particularly for pixel peepers.

Ergonomically, Canon sticks with a fixed 2.5-inch TFT LCD screen at 230K resolution and no live view capability. The 5D favors direct physical controls, which some may find refreshingly tactile but less flexible in framing compared to newer systems.

Pentax raised the stakes with a 3-inch fixed TFT LCD boasting 921K pixel resolution, complete with live view - a boon for tripod use, macro work, and video framing. While neither camera features a touchscreen or articulated display, the Pentax screen’s size and clarity provide a modern feel absent from the Canon’s mid-2000s design.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size versus Technology

This is where the story thickens. Canon’s EOS 5D launched as one of the first affordable full-frame DSLRs, equipped with a 13 MP full-frame CMOS sensor sized 36x24 mm, offering an expansive sensor area of 864 mm². The larger sensor translates to superior overall light gathering, reduced noise, and the ability to achieve shallower depth of field - a dream for portraitists and landscape artists seeking creamy bokeh or expansive detail.

Pentax K-5 II features a 16 MP APS-C CMOS sensor sized 23.7x15.7 mm (372 mm²), a smaller sensor but benefitting from eight years of technological advances, including Pentax’s Prime II image processor. The K-5 II achieves a respectable DXOmark overall score of 82, notably higher than Canon 5D’s 71, thanks to superior dynamic range and color depth.

Canon 5D’s color depth is 22.9 bits, while the Pentax nudges this to 23.8 bits, and dynamic range leaps from Canon’s 11.1 EV stops to Pentax’s impressive 14.1 EV. That dynamic range difference is tangible in real-world shooting: Pentax reveals richer shadow detail and better highlight retention, essential for landscapes and high-contrast situations.

Low-light ISO performance shows Canon peaking at 3200 native ISO with a low-light score of 1368, whereas Pentax’s K-5 II maxes out at 12800 native ISO with extended ISO 51200 capability. Despite a slightly lower low-light score (1235), Pentax’s noise handling benefits from improved sensor and processor synergy.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tech Shifts Impact Capabilities

Canon 5D features a 9-point phase-detection AF system without face or eye detection, lacking continuous AF tracking, and without live view autofocus. This system was solid for its time but feels dated now. The 3fps continuous shooting rate might frustrate sports and wildlife shooters needing to capture fast action.

Pentax K-5 II pushes forward with an 11-point AF array, including 9 cross-type sensors, coupled with face detection and continuous AF tracking - valuable for moving subjects. The addition of live view AF adds versatility, enabling accurate focusing in macro or manual-focus assist scenarios. Burst shooting at 7fps is more than double Canon’s, granting better framing options in dynamic environments.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Reliability

Both offer mid-size DSLR build quality with magnesium alloy chassis and environmental sealing to varying degrees.

Canon 5D’s sealing is noteworthy, with robustness against dust and moisture, appreciated by outdoor shooters. However, the original model lacks the ruggedness of later professional lines or Pentax’s celebrated weatherproofing.

Pentax K-5 II continues the brand tradition with extensive environmental sealing, making it a durable workhorse for nature and adventure photographers who brave challenging conditions.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Compatibility

Canon’s EF mount boasts over 250 native lenses, covering virtually every focal length and specialized purpose - from ultra-wide landscapes to super-telephoto wildlife lenses. The vast third-party accessory support and continuous Canon lens innovation ensure flexibility.

Pentax’s KAF2 mount supports about 151 lenses, reflecting a more modest but still diverse ecosystem. While smaller than Canon’s, it includes stellar primes and macros, plus older manual focus lenses rating well for sharpness. APS-C size imposes a 1.5x crop factor, so long telephotos search for about 150-300mm on full frame to match reach.

Display and User Interface: Modern Conveniences

Canon’s fixed 2.5-inch screen with 230K pixels feels cramped and coarse by today’s standards. No live view limits composition flexibility outside the viewfinder. While its buttons and dials are well laid out for intuitive access, the absence of touch or live preview is a factor for users migrating from point-and-shoots or those who prefer instant feedback.

The Pentax offers a larger and crisper 3-inch live view LCD, allowing for framing versatility and image review clarity. While still no touchscreen, it supports more information overlays and aids focusing in video or stationary shooting.

Battery Life and Storage

Canon’s BP-511A pack yields around 800 shots per charge, impressive for its time and still competitive. Its sole CompactFlash Type I/II slot offers fast write speeds but demands higher-cost cards compared to SD.

Pentax edges out with a longer battery lifespan at roughly 980 shots per charge and uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards - more affordable and widely compatible today.

Image and Video Sample Review

Canon 5D screen back Pentax K 5 II front Pentax K 5 II screen back

Canon’s full-frame sensor brings signature warmth and tonal subtlety, particularly flattering on skin tones for portraits. The larger sensor area and native ISO ceiling deliver organic bokeh and smooth low-light performance, though the 13 MP resolution limits cropping or large print sizes.

Pentax’s images benefit from higher resolution with 16 MP, delivering razor-sharp detail, especially notable in daylight and landscape shots. The improved dynamic range captures nuanced highlights and shadows, enhancing astrophotography and bright outdoor conditions. For video enthusiasts, Pentax offers 1080p at 25fps video with external microphone input, an edge for multimedia shooters. Canon 5D trails here with no video capability.

Performance Scores and Detailed Genre Analysis

Breaking down DXOmark composite scores:

• Canon 5D: Overall 71, Color depth 22.9, Dynamic Range 11.1 EV, Low light 1368
• Pentax K-5 II: Overall 82, Color depth 23.8, Dynamic Range 14.1 EV, Low light 1235

Portrait Photography

Canon's full-frame sensor excels at skin tone rendition and smooth bokeh due to larger pixels and shallow DoF. However, absence of face or eye AF and only 9 focus points hampers precise focusing in fast portrait sessions.

Pentax’s higher resolution and face detection autofocus give it an edge in tracking and sharpness, though APS-C sensor crop limits ultra-wide apertures’ background separation. For portrait pros seeking creamy bokeh, Canon remains preferable, but Pentax offers sharper files and autofocus usability for casual portraiture.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution favor the Pentax K-5 II here, alongside superior highlight retention allowing stunning HDR shots. The K-5 II’s weather sealing, compact design, and extended ISO range bolster outdoor landscape deployment.

Canon’s full frame yields excellent detail but fewer megapixels and less dynamic range. Its heft and CF card requirement can be pros or cons depending on workflow.

Wildlife and Sports

Pentax leads with 7fps burst and continuous AF tracking, essential for unpredictable wildlife and sports. Its smaller size fundamenally aids stealth for nature shooting.

Canon’s modest 3fps and basic AF system lag behind, though full-frame sensor gains in image quality could matter in static or studio wildlife.

Street Photography

Pentax’s small footprint, quiet operation, and all-weather sealing enable discreet capture. Live view and light ISO performance add to adaptability.

Canon’s size and weight challenge street nimbleness, compounded by no live view and slower frame rates.

Macro Photography

Pentax’s live view and focusing aids shine, coupled with sensor stabilization allowing handheld macro precision. Its extra resolution aids detail-heavy close-ups.

Canon’s lack of built-in stabilization and live view make macro more gear-dependent.

Night and Astro Photography

Pentax’s dynamic range and ISO headroom yield cleaner high-ISO images. Its electronic shutter limitations require tripod use for lowest noise.

Canon offers solid native ISO noise suppression, yet the older sensor limits astrophotography potential.

Video Capabilities

This category belongs to the Pentax exclusively - Canon 5D offers no video modes, leaving filmmakers no option.

Pentax K-5 II shoots 1080p video with external mic input, though codec choices limit professional usage.

Travel Photography

Pentax’s smaller size, superior battery life, and sensor stabilization earn it practical top marks for travelers balancing versatility and durability.

Canon’s full-frame greatness is offset by bulk and CF card costs.

Professional Workflows

Canon’s proprietary file compatibility and abundant pro lens options provide an edge, but the 5D gen lacks modern tethering or wireless features standard by the Pentax K-5 II era.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Pentax adds timelapse recording, HDMI output, and microphone input, none present on Canon 5D. Both lack wireless or Bluetooth, reflecting their legacy design.

Price-to-Performance Assessment

At launch, Canon 5D commanded a lofty $2780 price bracket reflective of its full-frame innovation. Pentax’s K-5 II introduced at $830 offers extraordinary value with robust feature set and high image quality at a fraction of the cost.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Fits Your Vision?

The Canon EOS 5D stands as a milestone in full-frame DSLR history, best suited for photographers prioritizing full-frame image quality, portraiture, and landscape work where sensor size and bokeh matter most. Its robust construction and seasoned ergonomics reward users who value tactile controls and don’t mind older tech constraints. The lack of video and live view may be dealbreakers for multimedia enthusiasts.

Pentax K-5 II, nearly a decade younger, impresses with advanced autofocus, high-resolution APS-C sensor, live view, and video capabilities, all baked into a compact, weathersealed body. This camera thrives across action, landscape, street, and travel photography while delivering top-tier value. The drawback? Smaller sensor size and APS-C crop factor limit bokeh and ultra-wide-angle applications compared to full-frame.

Ultimately, choose the Canon 5D if you need full-frame aesthetics, prioritize meticulous manual focus, and shoot primarily stills without video demands. Opt for the Pentax K-5 II if you want a versatile, rugged, modernized DSLR that punches above its weight for price-sensitive buyers embracing hybrid stills and video.

This side-by-side highlights not only the technology of their respective launches but how the camera market has shifted from purely imaging machines to integrated digital tools. Choose wisely - the best camera is the one whose strengths align most closely with your photographic journey.

Thank you for joining me in this thorough breakdown. Feel free to ask any questions or share experiences with these storied cameras.

Appendix - Image Integration Recap

1. Physical size and ergonomics comparison
2. Top view design and control layout comparison
3. Sensor specifications and image quality discussion
4. LCD screen and interface comparison
5. Sample images from both cameras
6. Overall performance ratings
7. Genre-specific performance analysis