Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5
56 Imaging
57 Features
70 Overall
62


60 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF/EF-S Mount
- 860g - 148 x 111 x 74mm
- Released November 2009
- New Model is Canon 7D MII
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Revealed December 2010
- Superseded the Pentax K-7
- Renewed by Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 Overview
In this article, we are contrasting the Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the 7D (18MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is fairly close and they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

The 7D was released 13 months earlier than the K-5 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the 7D scores against the K-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS 7D & Pentax K-5. The complete galleries are available at Canon 7D Gallery & Pentax K-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 7D over the Pentax K-5
7D | K-5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Canon 7D
K-5 | 7D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | December 2010 | ![]() | November 2009 | Fresher by 13 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper display (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 7D and Pentax K-5
7D | K-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon 7D enjoys external dimensions of 148mm x 111mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") and a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).
Contrast the Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the 7D vs the K-5.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the 7D and K-5 is 56 and 60 respectively.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the 7D and K-5.
Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon 7D to result in more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older 7D will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
Canon EOS 7D | Pentax K-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon EOS 7D | Pentax K-5 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2009-11-06 | 2010-12-18 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Dual Digic 4 | Prime II |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 12800 | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 19 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF/EF-S | Pentax KAF2 |
Amount of lenses | 326 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.63x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | 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 | 860 gr (1.90 lbs) | 740 gr (1.63 lbs) |
Dimensions | 148 x 111 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 66 | 82 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.0 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.7 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 854 | 1162 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 shots | 980 shots |
Battery style | 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 or II), UDMA, Microdrive cards | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $1,050 | $800 |