Clicky

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
56
Imaging
57
Features
70
Overall
62
Canon EOS 7D front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
57
Features
83
Overall
67

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Canon 7D
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 860g - 148 x 111 x 74mm
  • Announced November 2009
  • Renewed by Canon 7D MII
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the 7D (18MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is very similar and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The 7D was released 4 years prior to the K-5 IIs and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the 7D matches up against the K-5 IIs in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

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

 7D K-5 IIs 

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

 K-5 IIs 7D 
IntroducedJune 2013November 2009More recent by 43 months
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

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

 7D K-5 IIs 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon 7D features exterior measurements of 148mm x 111mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") and a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

See the Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 IIs in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the 7D against the K-5 IIs.

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

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

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

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the 7D and K-5 IIs.

As you can see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Canon 7D to offer more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics more aggressively. The older 7D is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

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

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

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 7D Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography highlights
74
manual focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
74
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon 7D Street photography information
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography information
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no articulating screen
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Canon 7D Sports photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography features
64
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (800 CIPA)
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect AF
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Canon 7D Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography details
53
environment proofing
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (800 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
65
weather proof
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Canon 7D Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography features
63
manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (800 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
supports RAW files
weather proof
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 7D Vlogging factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging factors
28
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic support
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon 7D vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 7D and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Canon EOS 7DPentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS 7D Pentax K-5 IIs
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-11-06 2013-06-04
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 18 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 5184 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 19 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 326 151
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 860 grams (1.90 pounds) 760 grams (1.68 pounds)
Physical 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 score 66 82
DXO Color Depth score 22.0 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 14.1
DXO Low light score 854 1208
Other
Battery life 800 shots 980 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E6 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Microdrive cards SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $1,050 $749