Canon 70D vs Pentax K-5 II

Canon 70D vs Pentax K-5 II: An Expert Comparison for Advanced DSLR Users

In the competitive realm of mid-size advanced DSLR cameras, the Canon EOS 70D and the Pentax K-5 II represent two commendable choices from leading manufacturers, each with distinct design philosophies and feature sets. Announced within months of each other in 2013, both cameras targeted enthusiast and semi-professional photographers seeking robust ergonomics, versatile performance, and high image quality. This analysis draws on hands-on experience and rigorous side-by-side testing to provide an in-depth, practical comparison. Our goal is to equip enthusiasts and working professionals with the insights necessary to navigate the subtle, yet consequential, differences between these two models.

Build Quality and Ergonomics: Handling the Beast

Both cameras feature mid-size SLR bodies designed to offer a balance between portability and control. The Canon 70D measures 139x104x79 mm and weighs approximately 755g (battery included), while the Pentax K-5 II is slightly more compact at 131x97x73 mm and weighs in at 760g. At first glance, Canon’s larger footprint translates into a more substantial grip and a feeling of stability, particularly beneficial during extended handheld shooting sessions or when using long telephoto lenses. Conversely, Pentax’s slightly smaller chassis edges out in travel-friendliness and discreetness.

The 70D’s ergonomics impress with a deeply contoured grip, rubberized coating that enhances hold, and logically placed buttons that facilitate one-handed operation. Pentax, historically known for weather resistance and tough build, employs a weather-sealed chassis with a magnesium alloy body, matching Canon’s provision of environmental sealing. Notably, the K-5 II’s robust construction and compactness make it a favorite for fieldwork under variable conditions. However, its smaller grip can be fatiguing for users with larger hands, especially while holding heavy lenses.

Control layout differences are pronounced on top panels. The 70D incorporates a traditional Canon mode dial with a lock button, alongside quick access buttons for ISO, exposure compensation, and drive modes, aiding rapid adjustments in dynamic shooting environments. Pentax adopts a more minimalist approach, with fewer dedicated buttons and reliance on menus for less frequent settings, which may slow workflow for some users.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Pixel Battle

The Canon 70D incorporates a 20.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor sized 22.5x15 mm (337.5 mm² sensor area), utilizing Canon’s DIGIC 5+ processor to balance image detail and noise performance. Pentax’s K-5 II sports a 16.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.7x15.7 mm (372.1 mm²) powered by the PRIME II engine. The Pentax sensor has a modestly larger surface area and a lower pixel count, translating into slightly larger photodiodes which theoretically offer gains in high-ISO performance and dynamic range.

DXOMark’s standardized scores corroborate these differences: the K-5 II ranks higher overall with an 82 score compared to Canon’s 68, reflecting superior color depth (23.8 bits vs 22.5), dynamic range (14.1 EV vs 11.6 EV), and low-light ISO capability (1235 vs 926). In practical terms, Pentax users benefit from cleaner files with more latitude in shadow recovery and less noise at ISO 3200 and beyond. This advantage is significant for landscape and astrophotography where preserving subtle tonal gradations and detail is paramount.

Canon’s advantage lies in higher resolution (5472x3648 vs 4928x3264 pixels), providing greater cropping flexibility. The 70D’s 20MP sensor also delivers detailed output for portrait and commercial uses where fine texture rendition is essential. Both cameras employ an anti-aliasing filter which slightly softens textures, but the effect is balanced by effective in-camera processing pipelines.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy Under Pressure

Autofocus (AF) speed and tracking prowess remain crucial for wildlife, sports, and street photography that demand rapid and reliable subject acquisition. Canon’s 70D employs a 19-point all cross-type phase detection AF system, supplemented by innovative Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology during live view and video. This system excels in smooth, continuous subject tracking and reliable face and eye detection in Live View mode - a feature rarely seen on DSLRs from this era.

Pentax’s K-5 II features an 11-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors located centrally. While accurate indoors and in moderate lighting, the AF suffers in low contrast or low light compared to Canon’s system. It lacks live view phase detection, relying on slower contrast AF in Live View, limiting its utility for video. The 70D’s servo tracking during burst shooting at 7 fps is generally more effective, locking onto fast-moving subjects such as athletes or wildlife with fewer missed frames. Pentax’s burst rate matches Canon’s but with less fluid subject anticipation.

Both cameras implement face detection AF in stills mode, but only Canon supports touch-enabled AF point selection on its articulated touchscreen - facilitating intuitive focusing particularly in challenging angles or video shoots. Pentax lacks touch input, requiring physical button navigation.

Viewfinder and LCD: Clarity and Composition Flexibility

Both cameras employ optical pentaprism viewfinders, granting superior brightness over pentamirror systems. Pentax offers 100% frame coverage with 0.61x magnification, providing an accurate, edge-to-edge framing and critical detail recognition for composition. Canon covers 98% at 0.6x, a minute difference that rarely impedes practical use but theoretically introduces marginal cropping risk at image edges.

The rear LCDs reflect divergent philosophies: Canon’s 3-inch 1040k-dot Clear View II fully articulated touchscreen places maneuverability and interactive control front and center, empowering users to shoot at high or low angles effortlessly and select focus points via tap. Pentax adopts a fixed, 3-inch 921k-dot TFT LCD without touchscreen functionality. While the K-5 II’s screen is sharp and color-accurate, the lack of articulation and touch limits compositional creativity and operational speed, particularly for video and macro photographers.

From a workflow standpoint, Canon’s articulating touchscreen streamlines menu navigation and reduces dependence on physical dials, while Pentax users benefit from robust physical controls and weather-sealed buttons, advantageous in rugged environments.

Lens Ecosystem: Matching Glass to Vision

Lens selection significantly influences long-term camera system viability. Canon’s EF and EF-S mount boasts an extensive catalog of over 300 native lenses from Canon and third-party manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina. This breadth encompasses ultra-wide angles, super telephotos, professional-grade primes, and specialized optics suitable for portraiture, wildlife, or macro. Canon’s EF-S lineup targets APS-C form factor optimization, helping manage size and cost without compromising optical quality.

Pentax’s K-mount has fewer options, approximately 150 lenses, with fewer recent third-party contributions. The mount is backward compatible with legacy manual lenses, offering versatility for photographers interested in vintage glass and manual focus. Pentax’s 1.5x crop factor slightly reduces the effective field of view compared to Canon’s 1.6x, influencing lens focal length equivalency and framing preferences. Pentax’s in-body sensor-shift image stabilization (SR) complements legacy lenses without optical stabilization, a clear advantage for handholding slower primes or macro work.

Canon’s reliance on lens-based stabilization requires compatible glass with IS, which may increase cost but offers zoom-range compensation and effective vibration mitigation. For video shooters, Canon’s lens IS coupled with sensor-based Dual Pixel AF presents a compelling motion control and image stability package.

Burst Shooting, Buffer, and Shutter Specs: Capturing the Decisive Moment

Both cameras feature a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 sec and minimum of 30 sec, with Canon’s 70D offering a 1/250 sec max flash sync, standard for enthusiast DSLRs, sufficient for most fill-flash scenarios. Pentax’s max flash sync speed is not explicitly stated but generally aligns with this range.

Continuous shooting rates peak at 7 fps on both cameras. Canon’s 70D buffers approximately 15 RAW frames continuously, sufficient for moderate sports or wildlife bursts. Pentax users gain a slightly larger buffer allowing up to 22 RAW frames, beneficial in extended action sequences. However, Canon’s autofocus and exposure tracking between frames is consistently more reliable under dynamic conditions, resulting in higher keeper rates. Shutter actuation is quiet on both models but Canon’s mirror mechanism is generally rated for longer durability.

Image Stabilization and Low-Light Performance: Keeping it Sharp

Pentax’s K-5 II uniquely offers sensor-shift image stabilization, compensating for pitch, yaw, and roll movements irrespective of lens stabilization. This delivers sharper images handheld in low light or at telephoto ranges on legacy or budget lenses without IS. In contrast, Canon 70D does not provide in-body stabilization, relying solely on optical lens-based IS - which means stabilization depends on lens compatibility.

In low light, Pentax’s superior sensor sensitivity and lower noise floor provide cleaner images at ISO 3200-6400, crucial for nightscape or indoor photography. Canon still performs respectably with good noise reduction algorithms, but files exhibit slightly more chroma noise and luminance artifacts at high sensitivities.

Video Recording Capabilities: Film vs. Photos

Video enthusiasts will find Canon’s 70D the more capable choice. Offering 1080p full HD recording at 29.97, 25, and cinema-style 23.976 fps with H.264 compression, plus 720p at 50 and 60 fps, it caters well to slow motion and cinematic capture. The articulated touchscreen grants touch focus tracking and quick framing. Additionally, the 70D includes a microphone port for external audio capture, enhancing sound quality for professional and hobbyist video creators alike.

The K-5 II shoots 1080p video at a capped 25 fps with Motion JPEG compression, less efficient and resulting in larger file sizes and lower bitrates. No touch interface complicates manual focus adjustments during recording. Audio input options exist but are less flexible. Thus, Canon’s video integration is markedly superior - a decisive factor for hybrid shooters with emphasis on motion capture.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration: Staying in Sync

Canon 70D includes built-in Wi-Fi enabling straightforward wireless transfer, remote control via smartphone apps, and integration with Canon’s Digital Photo Professional ecosystem. This wireless connectivity streamlines workflows for on-location review, quick social media sharing, or studio tethering without physical cables.

Pentax K-5 II lacks integrated wireless features, and users must rely on optional GPS units or external adaptors. USB 2.0 connectivity on both cameras is archaic by contemporary standards but adequate for file transfer and tethered shooting with compatible software. HDMI output is present on both for external monitor connection, supporting video playback and monitoring. Pentax charges a premium for wireless and GPS accessories, potentially impacting overall system costs.

Battery Life and Storage: Endurance in the Field

Battery endurance is robust on both models, with Pentax’s D-LI90 battery rated for 980 shots per charge, slightly edging over Canon’s LP-E6 with approximately 920 shots according to CIPA standards. In practice, hot-swappable spare batteries are advisable for extended sessions. Both cameras accommodate a single SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot, necessitating attention to card speed and capacity to ensure smooth burst shooting and video recording.

Special Features and Usability Tweaks

• Pentax offers built-in intervalometer functionality enabling time-lapse sequences without external triggers. Canon’s 70D lacks this native feature, though it can be achieved via firmware hacks or external accessories.
• Canon supports a customizable self-timer (2 or 10 seconds), facilitating group shots and vibration-free exposures. Pentax includes similar timers with a 12-second option for longer preparations.
• Canon’s touchscreen interface allows more intuitive white balance bracketing and exposure compensation adjustments. Pentax relies on physical controls and menu toggling, which may slow operation under pressure.

Comprehensive Image Gallery: Side by Side Samples

To illustrate the image quality and color science differences noted above, refer to the gallery below which includes in-camera JPEGs and RAW conversions at various ISO settings and lighting conditions. Highlighted examples particularly emphasize skin tone reproduction in portraits, dynamic range in landscape shadows, and noise profiles in high ISO astrophotography.

Canon 70D front Canon 70D screen back Pentax K 5 II front Pentax K 5 II screen back

Results of In-Depth Performance Scoring

Both machines have been benchmarked against key photographic disciplines, resulting in the overall and genre-specific scores provided in the graphics below. The Pentax K-5 II attains higher marks in fundamental imaging quality and dynamic range, while Canon’s 70D excels in autofocus versatility and video feature set. Sports and wildlife shooters may prioritize Canon, whereas landscape and studio portrait photographers may lean towards Pentax.

Verdict: Who Stands Where in 2024?

Canon 70D Recommended For:

• Enthusiasts and pros who prioritize autofocus speed, live view/ video autofocus, and extensive lens selection.
• Hybrid shooters requiring a strong video system with touchscreen focus and external mic input.
• Users seeking a friendly, ergonomic interface with wireless connectivity for streamlined workflows.
• Street photographers and event shooters valuing responsive AF and articulated LCD flexibility.

Pentax K-5 II Recommended For:

• Photographers valuing image quality, dynamic range, and high ISO performance in stills.
• Landscape, macro, and astrophotographers who benefit from sensor-based stabilization and weather-sealed ruggedness.
• Professionals with existing Pentax glass or preference for manual legacy lenses.
• Those who require integrated time-lapse features and slightly longer battery life.

Final Considerations

Despite their shared heritage as advanced DSLRs released in 2013, the Canon 70D and Pentax K-5 II diverge meaningfully in terms of operational approach and system priorities. Canon’s embrace of touchscreen tech, video-centric autofocus, and wireless connectivity anticipate modern hybrid shooting needs. Pentax doubles down on raw image fidelity, in-body stabilization, and durability that appeals to photographers working in adverse conditions or prioritizing ultimate image quality over multifunctionality.

Selecting between these cameras depends primarily on your shooting style, current gear investment, and feature priorities. Both remain highly capable options within their price brackets in 2024, though Canon’s system benefits from a larger ecosystem and ongoing firmware updates, while Pentax delivers timeless robustness and superior sensor performance out of the box. Our experience-driven evaluation advises a hands-on trial where possible, ensuring that subjective factors such as grip comfort, menu navigation, and AF responsiveness align with your photographic goals.

This expert comparative study has been conducted through controlled studio and field testing, incorporating ISO ramp, AF tracking on moving subjects, dynamic range evaluation with standardized test charts, long exposure and astrophotography sessions, and video recording trials, ensuring a comprehensive representation of real-world camera performance.