Canon EOS 90D vs. Pentax K-5: A Deep Dive into Two Advanced DSLRs from Different Eras

Choosing a DSLR can feel like navigating a maze - especially when comparing cameras that come from different generations yet neighbor the “advanced” category. Today, I’m putting two such contenders head to head: Canon’s EOS 90D, introduced in 2019, and the somewhat veteran Pentax K-5, announced back in 2010. Both cameras have dedicated fan bases, strong legacies, and enough capabilities to satisfy serious amateurs. But how do they truly compare when it comes to real-world photography and video performance? Having spent weeks shooting with both, testing their systems professionally, and breaking down every spec and nuance, I’m excited to share an honest, detailed comparison that will help you decide which suits your needs better.

Before we launch into the thick of it, let's get a quick overview side-by-side.

Eyeing the Bodies: Size, Handling & Controls

If you’re anything like me, the feel of the camera in hand - the ergonomics - can make or break your shooting experience. DSLR bodies generally share a shape, but subtle differences matter for long sessions.

Canon 90D: Measuring 141 x 105 x 77 mm and weighing 701 grams (body only), the 90D is a medium-sized DSLR with a solid grip that fits well in most hand sizes. Canon has continued their tradition of well-thought-out ergonomics here, blending comfort with practicality.

Pentax K-5: Slightly more compact at 131 x 97 x 73 mm and a little heavier at 740 grams, the K-5 has a classic DSLR SLR feel. It’s subtly more compact but a touch weightier, which might appeal if you prefer a slightly denser feel for stability.

Moving beyond size, the control layout and interface shape how intuitively you can change settings. Canon’s 90D enjoys a modern button arrangement and an informed menu system inherited from the highly successful 80D series, with illuminated buttons for low-light shooting missing, but the interface remains approachable.

The Pentax K-5’s controls feel a bit more old-school with fewer dedicated buttons and no touchscreen or tilt screen. This might bug those who love more interactive and modern interfaces, but conversely, some purists appreciate the simplicity here - it’s a tactile throwback to the DSLR roots.

Bottom line: The 90D is ergonomically updated, easier for quick settings access, and more adaptable for today’s shooting styles. The K-5 holds its own as a comfortable, sturdy working tool but feels a bit dated for those used to recent camera UIs.

Sensors Under the Hood: Resolution, Size & Image Quality Expectations

The sensor is the beating heart of any DSLR, defining details and image character right from capture.

Canon’s 90D sports a 33-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 22.3 x 14.9 mm, sporting a 1.6x crop factor. That’s a huge bump in resolution compared to the Pentax K-5, which carries a 16.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor at 23.7 x 15.7 mm with a slightly more generous 1.5x crop. The Pentax has a slightly larger sensor area (~372 mm² vs. ~332 mm² on Canon), but resolution-wise, Canon’s packing twice the pixels.

This higher resolution on the 90D translates into more flexibility in cropping, larger print potential, and finer detail capture. However, more megapixels typically mean smaller pixels, which can hamper low light performance unless coupled with advanced sensor tech. Canon’s DIGIC 8 processor and newer sensor design help maintain noise control up to ISO 25600 (expandable to 51200), though, which is pretty impressive.

Pentax’s older Prime II processor underpins the K-5, with respectable image quality still, including a native ISO range up to 12800 and expandable to 51200. DxOMark scores confirmed the K-5 as an excellent performer in its day with a solid dynamic range (14.1 stops!) and good color depth, though its overall sensor performance is eclipsed by modern rivals.

While Canon doesn’t have official DxO scores for the 90D, in practical testing, its image quality excels in daylight and backpack travel scenarios where every pixel counts. The K-5 holds up well in moderate ISO, with a slightly more organic color rendering that some users prefer.

Verdict: For pixel-peepers, Canon 90D shines with improved resolution and modern sensor tech. The Pentax K-5 offers slightly better per-pixel quality and arguably richer color but trades resolution and detail.

Looking Through the Lens: Autofocus Systems Compared

The autofocus (AF) system is crucial, especially if you shoot fast-moving subjects or love precision focus in macro or portraits.

The Canon 90D continues the DSLR legacy with a 45-point all cross-type AF system spread generously across the frame. Its dual-pixel CMOS AF technology brings fantastic live view and video autofocus performance, rare for DSLRs and comparable to mirrorless systems. It includes face detection and touch AF, enabling ease for portraits and street shooting.

Pentax’s K-5 uses an 11-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors - excellent at its time but significantly behind in coverage and sophistication. It supports phase detection AF in the viewfinder and contrast AF in live view but no eye- or animal-detection AF, which Canon offers.

In real-world use, the Canon’s autofocus tracks wildlife and sports subjects more reliably, faster, and with higher precision. The K-5 is adequate for static subjects and casual action but struggles in dynamic scenes or low light.

Insight: Autofocus technology leaps between 2010 and 2019 are starkly visible here. The Canon 90D offers one of the better DSLR AF systems for enthusiast use, while the K-5 remains functional for slower-paced shooting or landscape work.

Viewing and Composing: Optical Viewfinder and Rear Screen Details

DSLR shooters swear by optical viewfinders (OVF) for their clarity and zero lag; however, the rear LCD screen quality and usability are also vital.

Both cameras feature 100% pentaprism optical viewfinders with magnifications of 0.6x (Canon) and 0.61x (Pentax), providing bright, clear viewing experiences. No electronic viewfinders here, as expected for DSLRs, but enough for precise framing.

On the rear, Canon’s 3-inch fully articulated touchscreen LCD sports a 1040k-dot resolution, a far cry beyond the K-5’s fixed 3-inch 921k-dot TFT LCD screen. The articulation is a boon for shooting at uncomfortable angles - think macro low-downs or overhead portraits - and the touchscreen speeds up menu navigation and focus point selection.

Pentax’s fixed screen lacks touchscreen interactivity, meaning more button fumbling for focusing or settings - less ideal for videographers and spontaneous shooters.

So, if you’re planning to shoot a lot of video, vlog, or enjoy creative compositions, the Canon’s rear LCD will cater better.

In the Field: Weather Sealing, Build Quality, and Battery Life

Photographers who travel, shoot wildlife, or work outdoors crave robustness.

Both cameras boast weather sealing, although neither is waterproof or freeze-proof. The K-5’s well-known magnesium alloy body appears slightly more compact and durable, but so does Canon’s 90D, which also embraces modern material choices balancing weight and toughness.

Battery life strongly favors the Canon 90D - rated at 1300 shots per charge compared to the K-5’s 980. That difference can feel dramatic for all-day shooting without spare batteries.

Burst and Speed: Shooting Moving Subjects and Sports

Can your camera keep up with your dynamic subject? Here’s where frame rate and buffer matter.

Canon 90D delivers a blistering 11 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting rate with full autofocus and exposure tracking - an advantage for sports and wildlife shooters trying to nail that decisive moment.

Pentax K-5 lags behind at 7 fps, which was respectable in 2010 but less competitive now.

Specialized Capabilities Across Photography Types: Which Camera Wins Where?

Let’s break down their suitability across popular photography genres, as that’s where your personal needs really shape the camera choice.

Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin & Capturing Eyes

Canon 90D’s high-resolution sensor combined with sophisticated face detection and touch AF greatly helps nail portraits - especially in varying light. Its bokeh potential relies on your lens, but EF and EF-S lenses offer great aperture choices. Canon’s color science offers pleasant skin tone rendering, though some find it slightly cool unless tweaked.

Pentax K-5, with fewer pixels, might lose some fine detail but produces organic, rich colors that many portraitists love. Its in-body image stabilization (IBIS) (yes, Pentax packs this sensor-shift stabilization) allows sharper shots even with non-stabilized lenses - great for handheld portraiture.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution Matter

The K-5’s larger sensor area and exceptional dynamic range (14.1 EV) still impress for landscapes, capturing deep shadows and highlight details better than many rivals from its era. Combined with Pentax’s solid weather sealing and lens lineup, it’s a great tool for rugged outdoor use.

The 90D’s higher resolution benefits landscape photographers who want to crop for composition or print large. Canon’s sensor dynamic range is improving but inherently a few stops shy of specialized landscape cameras, though still respectable for general use.

Wildlife & Sports Photography: Tracking & Telephoto Performance

Here, the Canon 90D is clearly the more capable camera. Its fast 11 fps burst and 45 cross-type AF points - plus the crop sensor’s extra reach - help chase elusive wildlife and track athletes in action better than the K-5. The K-5’s 7 fps and fewer AF points work fine for slower wildlife or casual sports but aren’t ideal for demanding fast action.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion & Portability

While the K-5 is slightly smaller, the Canon delivers a more versatile flip-out touchscreen, faster AF, and better battery life. Although both lack the stealth of mirrorless compacts, the 90D’s live view AF makes silent shooting easier. Portability-wise, the weight difference is negligible.

Macro Photography: Precision and Stabilization

Pentax’s sensor-shift image stabilization enhances sharpness in handheld macro work, regardless of lens. The Canon 90D lacks in-body stabilization, relying on stabilized lenses or a tripod, which can be limiting if using budget lenses.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Options

The Pentax K-5’s excellent noise handling at ISO 1600–3200 combined with longer exposure support and robust dynamic range makes it a stalwart for starry skies and night scenes.

The 90D pushes native ISO to 25600 and manages noise effectively with DIGIC 8 processing but still can’t quite match the K-5’s low ISO dynamic range advantage for astro work.

Video Capabilities: Moving Beyond Stills

Canon’s 90D offers 4K UHD (3840x2160) video at 30p, with full HD up to 120 Mbps bitrates, microphone & headphone jacks, and capable Dual Pixel AF video focusing. This makes it suitable for serious hybrid shooters needing high-quality footage and reliable autofocus.

Pentax K-5 limits video to Full HD 1080p at 25 fps in Motion JPEG format - a far less efficient and lower-quality codec by today’s standards, and no headphone jack for audio monitoring. Despite its solid stills credentials, it’s barely suitable for video.

Lens Ecosystem and Lens Mount Compatibility

Canon’s EF and EF-S mount offers a sprawling ecosystem of over 300 lenses, including excellent telephotos, macros, primes, and third-party options. This breadth is a key asset for those with diverse shooting ambitions.

Pentax’s KAF2 mount has fewer lenses available (around 150), and while high-quality optics exist, availability and innovation rates lag Canon’s mount. The in-body stabilization, however, can compensate for lacking lens stabilization.

Connectivity and Storage: Modern Conveniences

Canon’s 90D includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling seamless image transfers to phones or remote control apps - a godsend for event shooters or travelers.

Pentax K-5 offers no wireless connectivity out of the box, reflecting its era, but GPS can be added via optional modules.

Both use single SD card slots, with 90D supporting faster UHS-II cards, facilitating quicker write speeds.

Battery Life and Reliability for Professionals

The 90D’s 1300-shot battery life is impressive for a DSLR with a flip-out screen and Wi-Fi. Coupled with the standard LP-E6N battery - widely used and abundant accessories available - it’s a dependable companion for extended workdays.

Pentax’s K-5 battery life is solid but significantly lower at 980 shots. Its D-LI90 battery is less common, which might complicate on-the-road power management.

Professionals also benefit from Canon’s wide official support, lens rental options, and service network.

Price-to-Performance Value: What You Get for Your Buck

At the time of writing, the Canon EOS 90D retails around $1200, reflecting newer tech, better autofocus, and advanced video.

The Pentax K-5, often available second-hand for around $800 or less today, offers excellent sensor quality and durability at a bargain price.

So if budget is tight and you’re mostly shooting stills in controlled settings, the K-5 remains a worthwhile buy. For hybrid shooters, action enthusiasts, or those needing a future-ready camera, the 90D is well worth the premium.

Final Scores and Genre-Specific Performance Summaries

In overall performance, the Canon 90D leads comfortably with more modern hardware, faster shooting, and well-rounded video.

When looking at individual use cases:

• Portraits: Slight edge to Canon 90D for AF and resolution
• Landscapes: Close call, Pentax K-5 praised for dynamic range
• Wildlife/Sports: Canon 90D dominates with high fps and autofocus
• Street/Travel: Canon 90D favored for usability and battery life
• Macro: Pentax K-5 benefits from IBIS
• Night/Astro: Pentax K-5’s dynamic range shines
• Video: Canon 90D clearly better

Real-Life Captures from Both Cameras

Canon 90D front Canon 90D screen back Pentax K 5 front Pentax K 5 screen back

Examining samples confirms much of the above: Canon’s 90D delivers crisp high-resolution detail with nice skin tones and accurate colors, while the K-5 impresses with shadow depth and pleasing color rendition, especially in RAW processing.

Wrapping Up: Which Advanced DSLR Should You Pick?

Here’s the gist based on my extensive testing, aiming to guide you toward your perfect match:

• Choose Canon EOS 90D if:
  You want a modern, versatile all-rounder capable of high-res stills and quality 4K video, need fast autofocus for sports, wildlife, or action, or plan to use touchscreen back screen and wireless connectivity. It’s superb for serious enthusiasts stepping toward semi-professional work.

• Choose Pentax K-5 if:
  You prefer a rugged, weather-sealed body, excellent dynamic range for landscape and astro photography, delight in in-body stabilization for macro, appreciate a robust but simpler interface, and want to save some bucks without sacrificing image quality for stills.

Both cameras offer impressive value and robust performance, but for someone looking to invest in a future-proof system, Canon’s 90D is a clear winner. Pentax’s K-5 remains a testament to durable, high-quality photography gear that punches above its weight, particularly if you find a good used deal.

If you have any more questions or want shooting tips on either camera, feel free to reach out. I’ve literally tested thousands of cameras, and it’s always thrilling to dig into these real-world comparisons that help photographers choose gear not by hype, but by substance.

Happy shooting!