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Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
27
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 110 IS
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
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Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Canon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the SD960 IS (12MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the SD960 IS (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The SD960 IS was introduced 5 years earlier than the K-5 II which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SD960 IS being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SD960 IS scores versus the K-5 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Pentax K-5 II

 SD960 IS K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Canon SD960 IS

 K-5 II SD960 IS 
LaunchedJune 2013February 2009More modern by 52 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen sizing3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Pentax K-5 II

 SD960 IS K-5 II 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD960 IS has exterior measurements of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SD960 IS against the K-5 II.

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD960 IS and K-5 II is 95 and 60 respectively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through specs. The picture here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SD960 IS and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SD960 IS with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Pentax K-5 II will provide more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged SD960 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD960 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5 II
26
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Street photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Street photography advice
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Sports photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Travel photography camera
58
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
environment sealing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD960 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 II
37
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (2.8 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging info
31
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone support
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD960 IS and Pentax K-5 II
 Canon PowerShot SD960 ISPentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Pentax K-5 II
Also called Digital IXUS 110 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-02-18 2013-06-04
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.8 -
Macro focus range 2cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.8 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 145g (0.32 pounds) 760g (1.68 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 54 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life - 980 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-4L D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release - $830