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Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
56
Imaging
57
Features
70
Overall
62
Canon EOS 7D front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
57
Features
82
Overall
67

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Canon 7D
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Announced November 2009
  • Replacement is Canon 7D MII
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
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Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Canon 7D versus Pentax K-5 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the 7D (18MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is pretty similar and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The 7D was released 4 years before the K-5 II which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the 7D scores versus the K-5 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon 7D over the Pentax K-5 II

 7D K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Canon 7D

 K-5 II 7D 
RevealedJune 2013November 2009More modern by 43 months
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Canon 7D and Pentax K-5 II

 7D K-5 II 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon 7D offers exterior dimensions of 148mm x 111mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") and a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 7D versus Pentax K-5 II in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the 7D compared to the K-5 II.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 7D and K-5 II is 56 and 60 respectively.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The picture underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 7D and K-5 II.

As you have seen, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Canon 7D to offer more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged 7D is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 7D Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography advice
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 7D Street photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Street photography advice
57
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Canon 7D Sports photography information
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography information
64
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 7D Travel photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography factors
53
weather proof
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
65
environment proof
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 7D
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 II
63
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (800 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 7D Vlogging details
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging details
28
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 7D and Pentax K-5 II
 Canon EOS 7DPentax K-5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 7D Pentax K-5 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-11-06 2013-06-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual Digic 4 Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 5184 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO 12800 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 19 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 326 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860 grams (1.90 lbs) 760 grams (1.68 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 All around rating 66 82
DXO Color Depth rating 22.0 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 14.1
DXO Low light rating 854 1235
Other
Battery life 800 photographs 980 photographs
Form 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 feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive cards SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $1,050 $830